ARE YOU 100% sure?

I have always heard differently.

Wrong,wrong, wrong. Sorry. It's in the deed restrictions.

Dogs are to be leashed at all times, even in your yard unless you have a completely restricting fence around your yard and the dog is completely restrained, like a courtyard villa with the stucco wall. Same for cats. No animal is allowed to roam free. This is not only a Villages rule, it is a County Leash Law.

Wrong, Wrong. Sorry if you think that it is in your deed restrictions. Read carefully again. “Section 6
Birds, fish, cats, and dogs shall be permitted with a maximum of 2 (two) pets per homesite. Each owner shall personally be responsible for any damage [B]caused to any dedicated or reserved area by any such pet and shall be immediately responsible to remove and dispose of any excrement of such pet and shall be responsible to keep such pet on a leash.”
This is the only reference to pets and it is related to responsible leashing when pet is in a dedicated or reserved area--this does not reference your own homesite whatsoever.
Sumter County Florida Leash Laws from
"What are the leash laws in Sumter County?
County Code 4-10 states that all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property.
see Sumter County, FL - Official Website

I noticed that your wording is slightly different that the wording on my deed compliance, but don't think that mades much difference in how 2.23 is interrupted. The wording in the section is somewhat confusing being that there are two different ways it could be read:


The first way:

• This is the way you're reading it whereas the entire sentence is directly related to the dedicated or reserved areas. I believe this understanding is incorrect and that there are three separate and distinct requirements set forth in it.

The second way is:

• First that you are responsible for any damages to those two specific areas of TV.
• Second that you are responsible to remove and dispose of any excrement (regardless of where it occurs is understood)...
• Lastly that you are responsible to keep your pet on a leash. (anywhere in TV where exposed to people or property outside of your own home, or on or off your property is understood)

I would bet if this were posed to the proper authorities, they would confirm that the second was it the correct interpretation.

As you say, interpretation is in the reader's mind. If you want to keep all your pets on a leash, that is your choice. I will just wait for a judgement rule by The Villages-if ever forthcoming- on whether mine will be on a leash when out in my own yard.

It just boggles my mind thinking about that poor goldfish and the Koi that we would have to put on a leash because they are in an outside pond on our property!:laugh:

Koi on a leash is silly. But cats kept inside will be safe from things that eat them and dogs on a leash will follow the rules. It is about living in society with others and still caring about the animals that you have taken into your home and heart to care for.

:agree:

:agree:

:agree:

:shrug:

small cat with purple collar in drain
 

Leashes, no leashes what about the kitten - has it been rescued????

did anyone call animal control, they will have drain cover removed get the kitten out, then we can think about a leash

Just checked, kitten still in the storm drain. It is the type of drain against the curb in front of 2198 Markridge Loop off Abordale off St. Charles in the Village of Pennecamp. Animal control, fire dept, neighborhood watch. Everybody has tried. The cat(kitten) is skittish and runs further into the system and hasn't been able to be caught so far. I agree and thought it was also a covenant to keep cats indoors and dogs on leashes. Everyone in this neighborhood is very considerate regarding this and almost every house has a pet. We're stumped on this one with the kitty.