BATON ROUGE - A man is at odds with his civic association after putting up a fence in the front yard for the dog. Ron Atwood tells 2 On Your Side he didn't know there were HOA rules against it; now he's navigating an expensive ordeal.

"They say I've got to take the fence down," said Atwood.

Zoe is a 14-year-old Chihuahua with heart problems. She belongs to Atwood's daughter, who is staying with him. Zoe might not be aware, but she has caused a lot of trouble for Atwood, since he built a fence in his front yard for her.

The fence has been in Atwood's front yard for a year and a half. Atwood has been getting pushback from the Sherwood Forest Civic Association ever since. The fence cost about $3,800. It's in the front yard because Atwood says the backyard isn't safe for Zoe.

The first subdivision filing dates back to 1955. According to the civic association website, there are many filings. Some of those deed restrictions differ from one filing to the next. Some may allow front yard fences, with approval. This is the case for a few of Atwood's neighbors who have fences in their front yards.

"There are two that way, two this way; they've got fences in their front yard, and they've been having them for years," said Atwood.

Where Atwood lives, they aren't allowed at all.

Atwood has been served a signed judgment. It says he has to take his fence down. 

"They'll arrest me, I guess," said Atwood.

All because of Zoe, who needs a safe spot to go outside. 

Atwood is hopeful to negotiate the fence removal, keeping it until Zoe passes, but says he will take the fence down if he has to.