If they want to pay close attention, yes, they can see spikes in power consumption.
Startup of a magnetic ballast creates a spike... if they want to be pricks and get on your case, I'm sure it wouldn't bee to hard for them to see it. I do not know if they can do it remotely or if they have to hang out and stare at your meter.
But just a 400? hm. What about an electronic ballast that doesn't have that spike, and keep a couple space heaters on a timer and say that you run them 12 hours a day, at night, to keep your ass WARM, and to fuck off?
As for the dog... WTF! You could really start a shit storm with that one.... depends how much you want to do battle... drop a line to the local humane society, lol! Get pics and documentation from your vet before the little dude has a chance to heal at all.

oh and edit, I would say to answer the final Q, no, it's not safe to grow atm. You might have to take that show on the road. Got a safe friend to watch the girls for a couple months?