Unauthorized pet in STR

[Yitzchok Carmen]

Hi Folks,

I have a cabin in the Smokies, and we have a "no pets" rule. The Airbnb listing says clearly that if you try to sneak in a pet you will lose your security deposit. Well we just got a guest that I can see in the camera has snuck in a small pooch. How do I handle something like that? I dont know anything about the dog and I have not reached out to them about it. My listing is pretty new and I am afraid that if I confront them or leave them a negative review they will leave me a negative review back which will hurt the listing at this point. Despite the fact that they are clearly wrong and broke my house rules and I have video footage to prove it I highly doubt that airbnb will give me much sympathy here. Is there any way to make a claim for this? Any tried and true way fwd here? 

I do not have any personal pets so in general I am not sure how much such an animal will ruin things. If they house needs a deep clean after these guests leave is there anyway to make a claim and not risk getting a negative review? Should I just suck it up?

Once on this topic, if someone with a service animal requests to book do I need to allow it? If yes can I charge a higher cleaning fee or is that discrimination?

Any help would be appreciated!

[Paul Sandhu]

A little dog?  Pffft.  You haven't seen anything until you have tenants with 2 rattlesnakes and one of them escapes and game wardens get involved.