A Portland tenant is accusing their landlord of illegally entering their apartment and kidnapping their emotional support dog, demanding a $500 “lease violation fee” for its return. The shocking incident, which quickly went viral on Reddit’s r/legaladvice forum, has sparked outrage and debate about tenant rights, emotional support animals, and landlord misconduct.
The Alleged “Dognapping”
According to the tenant’s post, the landlord allegedly entered the apartment without prior notice while the tenant was at work and took their golden retriever, Bailey, claiming the dog’s barking had become a “nuisance” to neighbors.
Pets were allowed under the lease, but the landlord accused the tenant of violating terms by disturbing others. When the tenant returned home, they found a note left on the kitchen counter that read:
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“You can retrieve it after paying the $500 lease violation fee. You have 72 hours before they process the animal.”
The landlord also warned that the dog would be “dealt with by the county” if payment wasn’t made within three days.
The tenant said they immediately contacted animal control, who confirmed that Bailey had been turned over to them. However, officials reportedly said they could not release the dog until any required fees were paid.
Tenant: “Bailey Is the Only Thing Keeping Me Stable”
In the viral Reddit post, the tenant explained that Bailey was not just a pet but an emotional support animal (ESA) prescribed by their therapist following a suicide attempt.
“Bailey is the only thing keeping me stable right now,” they wrote. “She’s literally the reason I’m still here.”
The tenant asked fellow Redditors if the landlord’s actions were legal and how they could recover their dog.
Reddit Rallies Behind the Tenant
The post quickly gained hundreds of comments, with most users urging the tenant not to pay the landlord directly and to file a police report for theft and unlawful entry.
“The landlord had no right to take your dog,” one commenter wrote. “It’s no different than if he came in and took your TV because it was too loud. Dogs are considered property under the law.”
Others advised the tenant to go straight to animal control and pay only the county’s holding fees, as they would not recognize the landlord’s private “ransom” demand.
Another user recommended installing security cameras inside the apartment to monitor any future unauthorized entries. “If he did it once, he might do it again,” they warned.
Legal Questions and Tenant Rights
Legal experts say the landlord’s alleged actions could constitute multiple violations, including illegal entry, theft, and harassment.
Under Oregon law, landlords must provide at least 24 hours’ notice before entering a tenant’s home, except in emergencies. They also cannot seize a tenant’s property to enforce payment or punishment for lease violations.
If the dog truly qualified as an emotional support animal under the Fair Housing Act, the tenant may have additional protections. ESAs are recognized as necessary accommodations for individuals with mental health conditions, and landlords are prohibited from discriminating against tenants who have them.
“This is a serious violation of privacy and property rights,” said one Portland housing advocate contacted for comment. “Regardless of the barking, a landlord has no authority to confiscate a pet or demand ransom money. That’s something for mediation or eviction court — not vigilante action.”
A Broader Pattern of Landlord Misconduct
The case has reignited discussions about tenant vulnerability in Portland’s tight housing market, where power imbalances often leave renters afraid to report abuse.
Several Reddit commenters shared similar experiences, describing landlords who have entered their homes without permission or threatened eviction over minor disputes. “The legal system reacts to problems, but it rarely prevents them,” one user noted.
What Happens Next
The tenant reportedly retrieved Bailey from animal control after paying standard holding fees, not the $500 the landlord demanded. They are now considering legal action and seeking a new place to live.
While emotional support animals remain a gray area legally, most online agreed that the landlord’s conduct crossed a clear ethical and legal line.
“Kidnapping someone’s dog and holding it for ransom is unacceptable,” one commenter wrote. “There’s no universe where that’s okay — no matter how much the dog barks.”
For now, Bailey is back home — shaken, perhaps, but safe. Her owner says they’re grateful for the outpouring of support and hope the ordeal serves as a reminder of how vital emotional support animals can be.
“She’s not just a pet,” the tenant wrote in an update. “She’s family. And no one should ever have to pay to get their family back.”
