Penalty for Unapproved Dog?

[Adam Christopher Zaleski]

I am trying to figure out the best way to handle an unapproved pet. I actually allow 2 dogs for a single family home rental (3 bed/2 bath). A total of 3 college students live at the house.

I have a $200 pet fee and $25/month of pet rent if the dog is 25-50 pounds. No dogs over 50 pounds and less than 2 years old. If the dog is less than 25 pounds, then no pet rent. One of the tenants has a dog and told me about it. He paid the $200 pet fee and also pays the $25/month pet rent because his dog is 37 pounds. Everything is great.

However, one of the other tenants asked if they could get a dog in September. I told him that I do allow 2 dogs for the rental and gave him my guidelines. I emailed him about a month later and asked him if he ended up getting a dog in October. He never replied.

I was at the house a couple days ago and noticed that he had a dog crate in his car. I asked the neighbors to look for a second dog. I'm sure it won't take long to bust him. However, I don't think I have anything in the lease that gives a specific penalty for not disclosing a pet.

If the dog is within my guidelines, I was thinking of charging him the $200 pet fee and maybe three months (Oct-Dec) of pet rent if the dog is 25-50 pounds. I would love to also charge him a penalty for not disclosing the pet, but I don't think I can do that because there isn't a specific penalty stated in the lease.

I think it becomes more complicated if the pet does not fall within the guidelines. What would be an appropriate penalty? I was thinking of charging him the $200 pet fee and still tell him that he has to get rid of the pet. I would just take it out of their deposit.