Good luck! I know reporting someone can be scary, but I have done it and put my job on the line…still, if it helps an animal, I am willing to risk it.
She kicks the dog???
Well, I was trying to have compassion for your roomie, but that’s too mean. I agree with Michelle. But tell Roomie first. Let her know that’s totally unacceptable. My hunch is that her father probably abused her as well. Maybe by bringing the dog’s abuse out in the open, it’ll help break that chain. Give the dog extra attention, Falcon; sounds like the poor thing needs some of your exuberant sweetness.
Don’t report the dog to the landlord!!! As someone who signed the lease, you are jointly and severally liable for the payments under it. By her keeping the dog, both of you collectively as tenant have breached the lease and the landlord may be able to terminate the lease for the both of you. This might seem to be what you want, but it isn’t, because if the lease is terminated due to the tenant’s breach, the tenant remains liable for it.
As one of the joint tenants, you can be held responsible for all of the rent for the remainder of the lease (though your locality may have laws that ease some part of the burden of this). This is the same liability as you would have if you just up and left.
At the very minimum you would lose your security deposit, and the landlord could sue you for damages. And as mentioned before, forget about a landlord’s reference.
(By the way, taking the dog would be considered larceny, as good as it would be for the poor creature).
Falcon- If you’re willing to live down in Virginia, I’ve got friends who are looking for a house-mate. It’s down in Reston, VA (take 495 around to Route 7, take Route 7 west for about twenty-five miles).
Let me know if it sounds semi-decent and I’ll try to get you some contact information for them.
As for job opportunities- once I get a real job, I’ll let you know.
JMCJ
Just confirming that my ass is, in fact, the wisest part of my body.