84-Year-Old Oak Cliff Woman Says Her HOA Filed a Lien Against Her for Feeding Two Cats

[TexasTowelie]

Shirlee Perry doesn't get out much anymore. Eighty-four years old with ailing legs, going outside usually is too much of a challenge, so she spends her days mostly watching TV at her Oak Cliff condo and caring for the two semi-feral cats that were born near her back porch and now practically live there.

She used to leave food for the wildlife in the woods behind her condo, just like her neighbors did when she moved in 25 years ago, but her HOA, the Wedglea Place Owners Association, asked her to stop. She also agreed to quit leaving the cat food out overnight, an arrangement that lasted for a time. But when they recently told her to stop feeding the cats entirely, that was a bridge too far.

The order came in the midst of a long-simmering feud between Perry and her neighbors. In 2012, she reported to police that a neighbor stole the three bowls she kept on her porch. ("No, no, no!" she yelled through the window; "Yes, yes, yes!" the man replied.) It was followed, according to Perry, by a series of fines. Under Wedglea Place Owners Association regulations, fine for rule violations are staircased, ranging from $50 for the first infraction to $250 for the fifth and beyond.

Perry, who insists that she submits her HOA dues on time every month, thought the association had stepped over a line and was being unreasonable. She refused to pay.

More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2014/03/oak_cliff_hoa_lien_elderly_catad.php .

[font color=green]While I realize the possible health nuisances created by leaving food for feral animals, I'm posting this because I'm pro-kitteh and anti-HOA.[/font]

[In_The_Wind]

1. Another pro-ketteh anti-HOA.

[shenmue]

2. What meanies

Not cool!

[YarnAddict]

3. In a lot of communities

feral cats are a real problem. I'm kind of amazed that there are only two in this situation. Usually, once you start feeding them you get a herd. Not to mention, all the litters that result from unaltered feral cats.

[EC]

4. for goodness sake

she's 84 and doesn't have anything else...leave her alone. Why are there such petty people?

[northoftheborder]

5. Homeowner association boards often are tyrannical, picky, critical people who live for finding

things wrong with their neighbors. I lived next to, not in, a condo neighborhood, whose HMO association tried to regulate the whole neighborhood according to their own viewpoints. Ticked me off more than once, but they couldn't legally do anything but nag and fuss. Very annoying.

[TexasTowelie]

6. And those socialistic organizations

are usually full of right-wingers!