Considering Evicting My Brother Over His Dog: AITA for Prioritizing Housing Rules?

A warning from a landlord is one thing, but getting it because your brother’s new dog keeps biting other dogs is a whole different level of stress. In this apartment, OP thought co-living would be simple, until Max showed up and turned “just settling in” into a building-wide problem.

OP, 29, lives with his younger brother, 25, and they were fine until Max, the aggressive pup, started attacking in common areas. The building has strict pet rules, leashes in public, well-behaved dogs only, and Max has not only triggered complaints, he’s already bitten multiple dogs, plus attacked again in the courtyard.

Now the landlord has issued a final warning, and OP is stuck deciding whether to risk eviction or push his brother to find another place for Max.

Original Post

So I (29M) currently live in an apartment with my younger brother (25M). We've been living together for about a year now and up until recently everything was fine.

However, my brother recently adopted a dog that's been causing some serious issues in our building. For some context, our building has strict pet policies, and dogs must be well-behaved and on a leash at all times in common areas.

My brother's dog, let's call him Max, is incredibly aggressive towards other dogs and has even bitten a few without provocation. This has led to complaints from neighbors and even a warning from our landlord.

Despite the complaints and warnings, my brother hasn't taken proper steps to train Max or ensure he doesn't pose a risk to others. I've tried talking to him about it, but he gets defensive and insists that Max is just protective and needs time to adjust.

I understand that pets can take time to settle in, but Max's behavior is jeopardizing our living situation. Last week, after another incident where Max attacked a neighbor's dog in the building's courtyard, our landlord issued a final warning - if Max causes any more trouble, we could face eviction.

I'm at my wit's end because I don't want to lose my home because of my brother's dog. I've told him that if he doesn't take immediate steps to address Max's behavior, I'll have no choice but to ask him to leave.

So, Reddit, given the risk of eviction due to Max's behavior, AITA for considering asking my brother to find another living arrangement for his dog's sake?

Expert Commentary

Family dynamics can complicate living arrangements, particularly when pets enter the picture.

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OP tried talking to his brother after Max’s first bites, but the defensiveness made it clear he wasn’t taking the warnings seriously.

This is similar to the baker whose entire morning got wrecked by a friend changing birthday time.

Then Max attacked another dog in the courtyard, and the landlord’s “final warning” landed like a deadline, not a suggestion.

With neighbors filing complaints and the apartment rules demanding leashes and calm behavior, OP is the one staring down eviction.

What's your opinion on this situation? Join the conversation!

So when OP tells his brother to take immediate steps or move out, it’s not about punishing Max, it’s about saving the housing they share.

In the intricate web of family relationships, the addition of a pet can complicate matters significantly.

This scenario underscores the challenges that emerge when individual decisions, such as adopting a dog, disrupt shared living environments. The younger brother's defensiveness likely reflects a blend of pride and an unwillingness to acknowledge the gravity of Max's behavioral issues, a reaction often seen when personal choices face scrutiny. Effective communication about responsibilities becomes essential in this context, as it allows both siblings to address their feelings and work towards a resolution that honors their respective needs while ensuring the well-being of the dog is not compromised.

He might be happier in a different apartment, and OP might finally get his home back.

For another “my schedule, my rules” blowup, see the friend who changed birthday time without telling the baker.