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YOU ASK. WE INVESTIGATE: Family says HOA hates their big dog

Posted at 8:45 PM, Aug 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-22 23:47:05-04
Two dog owners believe they are being targeted by people in their homeowner's association for having a big dog. 
 
Buio is a 150-pound Cane Corso and his owners insist he's not a nuisance, despite what the HOA and their rules might say.
 
"He's a sweet boy, he's a very loyal dog," said Simon Hayag, who has had the 3-year-old Mastiff since he was a puppy.
 
When Simon Hayag and his wife Lauren got a letter in the mail saying Buio is a nuisance, they were upset.
 
"I'd say honestly it's because if you see Buio, he's a big dog," said Lauren. "If you're a little old lady walking down the street, you're going to get intimidated by him."
 
They believe they are being discriminated against for the way their dog looks.
 
"I can totally understand and see why they look at him and judge him for who he is, just based off of his looks," said Simon.
 
The letter from Mirasol HOA says Buio is a nuisance for barking too much. 
 
According to the Mirasol HOA rules, "excessive noise from an animal will not be permitted." 
 
However, when 13 Action News came to their house Monday, Buio did not bark at our crew until they left the house and went outside.
 
Still, the Hayags are facing up to $1,000 in fines for the barking.
 
"I believe it's fair that we have a guard dog, so he's going to do his job," said Simon of his dog's barking.
 
They even had their neighbor write to the HOA, saying he is "not bothered in the least" by Buio.
 
13 Action News reached out to Mirasol HOA and Progress Residential -- the company renting the house to the Hayags -- but have not heard back from either.
 
"We have to do what we can to keep our family together and Buio is part of that," Lauren said.