Realtors Must Disclose Animals on Listed Properties

The National Association of Realtors sets up policies and a Code of Ethics that ALL  Realtors must adhere to.  Yet, at the present time, it is left up to each individual state's discretion whether to require disclosure of animals on properties listed by Realtors. On December 14, 2005, I was a Realtor in the State of Florida. I was previewing properties for an out-of-state client and was viciously mauled by a 180 lb. dog. I was transported by emergency helicopter to a trauma hospital, where I underwent surgery, was in the hospital for 8 days.  I lost most of my right bicep, have severe scarring, which cannot be corrected by cosmetic surgery. After the mauling, I spoke with numerous Realtors who also had close encounters or bites by animals which were not disclosed by fellow Realtors in their listings. This change needs to be a REQUIREMENT by the National Association of Realtors to not only protect fellow Realtors, but, to protect SOCIETY...anyone can be attacked by going onto other peoples' property to view a potential future home to purchase or rent, if there is an animal present. The mauling I endured could have been avoided entirely if it was a requirement for the Realtor to disclose animals on the property. This SHOULD NOT be left up to the Realtor's personal discretion or opinion whether the animal is safe.