N. Clinch. Problem Analysis One. Ethical Analysis.
ABC Property Company owns many apartment complexes in cities and suburbs throughout state X, and its owners make good profits. The policy for apartment tenants is always a no pets policy with an exception for certified ‘service’ animals that must be ‘certified’ by state regulatory agents as meeting the requirements for be a service animal. These service animal laws are designed to help the disabled. Certification requires the Public Health State Agency to approve and issue certifications based on recommendations of professional service dog trainers and veterinarians. Most pets would never qualify to be service animals.
The no pets policy is legal so no ‘law’ is violated by it use in a lease.
Over the past year, ABC has been urged by many tenants to change the current no pets policy to allow dogs, cats and rabbits that cannot qualify for certification as service animals but are certainly common household pets.
Many people have pets that are not ‘service animals’ but do, in the belief of their owners, provide essential emotional support, contributing to wellness, including avoiding loneliness and depression. Other people regard pets as part of the family.
However, the no pets policy offers efficiency and low costs. There are certainly increased costs with a pet policy, even if pets are limited to ‘two’ . Pets still might do damage to apartments, requiring higher security deposits but even if the damage is paid for, there is the inefficiency of having to make the repairs. Other tenants might also complain if they hear cats meowing, dogs barking next door or in another building. Unhappy tenants could go on social media with complaints, undermining the appeal of an apartment complex. Such complaints about pets could damage ABC Property Company’s reputation. Business insurance premiums would go up as well to cover any liability claims. And there is certainly no lack of tenants without pets seeking apartments because housing is in demand. People who do not want pets in an apartment complex will have no difficulty finding apartments with the no pets policy.
At the same time, the owners of ABC are also aware of the following facts. In most high cost condominiums and townhouses, pets are permitted. The tenants who now want to own pets have offered evidence that pets provide essential emotional support and happiness for pet owners. Studies show that an increasing number of people in the United States experience significant loneliness. Pets increase a sense of worth through responsibility and companionship. Pets also can develop in humans empathy, enhancing a sense of environmental connection. Many who complaint about pets in an apartment complex believe that mental health is something that every society should support and are often unaware of the value of pets in terms of providing mental and emotional health. Scientific research Is beginning to show mental health benefits of humans bonding with pets even when these pets are usually not qualifying as ‘service animals’ under the law. There is even evidence that some people with pets, if evicted or unable to find housing, prefer to go homeless with their pets rather than give the pets up. If ABC allowed pets, current tenants unhappy with that policy would be freed from their lease and able to find another apartment. But some current tenants might be fine with the policy.
The decision ABC must make is whether to keep the no pets policy or to adopt a policy that would allow two pets (dogs, cats or rabbits). NOTE: THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION, so it is not possible, for example, to keep the no pets policy in one town but not others or limit the number of tenants who could have pets. The clause to allow pets would be in every lease. This option (two pets as above or no pets at all) is the only option to consider. Use the information above only to support your analysis. Respond to BOTH A and B below.
A.IF ABC follows utilitarianism what would be the decision Explain using ethical analysis
B.If ABC follows Kant/deontology, what would be the decision. Explain using ethical analysis.
NOTE: Be sure to review and use the ethics notes document on the module for Law and Ethics. Evidence that you have reviewed and reflected on that document should appear in your analysis. You may briefly add your own view (using any other approach) at the end but you will only receive credit for application of the above two approaches. There is a sample problem analysis on Canvas that offers samples of legal analysis and ethical analysis. Recommended Page limit: One page, single-spaced. Estimated length for concise writers: two paragraphs, 7 sentences per paragraph, still probably over half a page. IF you write more, I will read it (ie 2 pages) but make sure your work is organized, not repetitive and so forth.
