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    Dogs That Attacked Penny the Chihuhua on the UWS Will Remain in Owner’s Custody for Now: Town Hall

    May 8, 2025 | 9:03 AM
    in CRIME, NEWS
    132
    The community meeting about the attack on Penny the chihuahua. Photo by Gus Saltonstall

    By Gus Saltonstall

    A large, emotional crowd gathered Wednesday afternoon at an Upper West Side community center to demand action against the accused owners of two pit bulls that viciously attacked Penny, a 10-year-old chihuahua, over the weekend on Columbus Avenue at West 85th Street.

    The attendees of the town hall organized by City Councilmember Gale Brewer were left disappointed, though; the dogs videotaped attacking Penny will stay in the custody of their owners for the time being due to the current laws that would cover the dog-on-dog incident, according to Brewer, members of the New York Police Department, and a representative from the New York City Department of Health.

    Brewer, who spoke first, called the recent attack a “horror” and also expressed her frustration with the city’s legal system, which defines dogs as property, meaning the attack is not considered a criminal matter to be taken up by the NYPD — though a civil lawsuit could be filed.

    “We don’t have the outcome we all want right now,” Brewer said.

    The UWS elected official said her first goal is to help pass a law that would make such attacks a criminal matter. Brewer mentioned that Upper West Side Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal had already introduced a bill on the issue.

    Rosenthal’s bill would alter a section of state law containing animal cruelty crimes by reclassifying animals as “sentient beings,” not as property, allowing them to be considered as victims of crimes.

    Brewer said her second goal was to get the dogs that attacked Penny, who was released from the hospital on Tuesday, off the streets.

    “There are not easy answers to this issue,” Brewer told the crowd before handing off the microphone to NYPD members and city officials. “They are going to tell you what they can or cannot do given the way the law is currently written.”

    The first to speak was an NYPD representative from the Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad.

    “Unfortunately, the outcome doesn’t always indicate the number of hours that are put into investigations, and were put into this,” the representative said to the crowd. “We have put together information [about the attack on Penny] and presented it to the District Attorney’s Office.”

    A representative from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed during the meeting that the office has opened an investigation into the attack, focusing on allegations that the owner of the two pit bulls pushed another person who was trying to stop the attack, and that after one dog attacked the chihuahua, the owner may have allowed the second one to join in.

    As for whether the dogs would be taken away from the owner, a city Department of Health official told the town hall meeting that, while the agency responds to dog bite complaints, it has no authority to enforce criminal sanctions. It’s “a very rare, lengthy, and arduous process to have someone’s pet removed,” he said.

    Also in attendance was Lauren Claus, the co-owner of Penny.

    “I love my dog more than my life,” Claus said to the crowd. “When we go to report something in a dog-on-dog attack, we need something that the police can do that day. This is a crime.”

    Claus, along with other speakers, expressed frustration with the repeated messaging coming from officials.

    Although officials noted they had no straightforward legal authority to take criminal action, Claus said she had hoped to create a paper record of the incident for the future. “I understand the need for a paper trail, and we really tried to do so, but they [NYPD officers] said there was nothing they can do when we went to the station,” Claus said. “We tried numerous times to get something filed, but weren’t able to.”

    Also speaking was dog owner Lauren Block, who said that the same pit bulls attacked her two dogs in January in Central Park, which resulted in the death of her shih tzu, Grover.

    “His dog tore my dog apart as people screamed and cursed,” Block said, prompting gasps throughout the room.

    Brewer had previously mentioned she believes the same two dogs that attacked Penny fatally attacked a different dog earlier this year in Central Park.

    Throughout the meeting frustration continued to grow over the lack of laws surrounding dog-on-dog attacks.

    “You’ll file a report if someone slashes my tires, but not if my dog gets killed by another dog?” a crowd member called out at one point.

    The meeting ended after around 90 minutes, following more statements and questions from the audience.

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    132 Comments
    Phoebe
    Phoebe
    1 year ago

    This meeting broke my heart.

    31
    Reply
    Pozo
    Pozo
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Phoebe

    That dude full on assaulted two people but the NYPD are really gonna let him get off.

    0
    Reply
    Adam
    Adam
    1 year ago

    If Penny can get this kind of crowd energized to come out and voice their opinions and seek change, then #pennyformayor

    30
    Reply
    Russell Weerth
    Russell Weerth
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Adam

    Would love this. The Zohran Mamdani would say “the pit bulls have a right to protest by any means neccessary!”

    16
    Reply
    Ralph Caso
    Ralph Caso
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Russell Weerth

    Zohran Mamdiani would protect the pitbulls.

    12
    Reply
    neighbor785
    neighbor785
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Ralph Caso

    We must keep the pitbulls out of Rikers! /s

    6
    Reply
    EricaC
    EricaC
    1 year ago
    Reply to  neighbor785

    Rikers is a hellhole. It is a shocking shame.

    0
    Reply
    Manhattan parent
    Manhattan parent
    1 year ago
    Reply to  EricaC

    Have you been there? Where do we put the criminals – Four Seasons?

    1
    Reply
    Carlos
    Carlos
    1 year ago

    So it will take these evil dogs attacking a person to do something to them?

    What are the laws about a person attacking a dog? I love dogs and I am generally a pacifist, but I think those dogs deserve anything coming to them.

    I thought there was video of the owners physically attacking someone? Can’t they be booked for that?

    22
    Reply
    Lisa
    Lisa
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Carlos

    STOP blaming the dogs, FFS. Anyone who knows anything about dogs AT ALL knows that ANY breed can be “made bad” by bad humans/owners. Dogs do not have the ability to be “evil”.

    8
    Reply
    Martin
    Martin
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Lisa

    Sigh. I’m so freaking tired of this argument. Pitbulls and their ilk were bred for a reason….and that’s not to be cuddly lap dogs.

    15
    Reply
    Justice
    Justice
    1 year ago

    If dogs are property, if something happened to those out of control killer pits, the owners wouldn’t have much recourse, just sayin’

    20
    Reply
    Uwsdr
    Uwsdr
    1 year ago

    I have posted about this before…a few years ago my wife was knocked over by a large off leash dog in Central Park in the late afternoon in a highly trafficked pedestrian walkway. Broke her leg and required a complete ACL. There were zero repercussions for the owner and the park police had little interest and created a report which misspelled names and so forth. As the number of dogs keeps increasing in our neighborhood and increased privileges are extended to dog owners, I think it is fair for the state legislature to apply additional responsibilities to dog owners as well, holding them responsible for the actions of their pets.

    42
    Reply
    Joet
    Joet
    1 year ago

    Lock up the pit bulls owner

    42
    Reply
    Susan M
    Susan M
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Joet

    Minimum for safety: Require the dogs to wear a muzzle in public, or lose custody . Very effective muzzles prevent biting, but are comfortable, allowing dogs to pant and event receive treats. Could a “muzzle order” requirement be attached to licenses/tags of dog owners whose property has been determined hazardous? That’s something police Animal Control can enforce, and neighbors can call in. This dog owner sounds like he loves the possibility of his dog harming other dogs.

    3
    Reply
    Donna
    Donna
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Susan M

    Totally agree

    0
    Reply
    Michael
    Michael
    1 year ago

    New York is in the Dark Ages here. Many other states would have required two actions: 1) Pit Bulls must be neutered by six months of age; and 2) dog on dog attacks are crimes — and the attacker may be taken from the owner, removed from the neighborhood, or put down.

    Pit bulls are banned in some countries altogether. Some regulations are so stringent that even a mutt with Pit Bull DNA are prohibited entry.

    41
    Reply
    Dani
    Dani
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Michael

    I was just going to say something similar. I have definitely read about other dog attacks in other places and the articles usually mention that the dog was put down after the attack.

    6
    Reply
    Paul Langer
    Paul Langer
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Michael

    Let’s not go down that road of controlling Pit Bulls or any other breed. There are no bad breeds, only bad owners.

    8
    Reply
    Lisa
    Lisa
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Paul Langer

    THIS!

    4
    Reply
    Marty
    Marty
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Paul Langer

    Nice refrain but yes there are actually bad breeds and pit bulls are an example. When a dog kills a person statistically it’s more than likely a pit bull.

    11
    Reply
    Olga
    Olga
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Marty

    No don’t hate the breed hate the deed. I’m a dogwalker and have a pitbull in my pack and she’s the sweetest. She actually got attacked by unleashed dog and didn’t even fight back, so your comment on Pitbulls is false . Is the way you raise this breed. Unfortunately, this POS fat ass is training them to attack and kill. He needs to pay for what he’s doing and at the end, the dogs will suffer the consequences because of this dumbass

    2
    Reply
    Marty
    Marty
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Olga

    The exception doesn’t prove the rule. When a dog kills a person statistically it’s most often a pit.

    2
    Reply
    Lisa
    Lisa
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Marty

    Only because Pitties are the breed most often trained to fight and kill. Please try to understand statistics.

    5
    Reply
    Marty
    Marty
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Lisa

    You say tomato, I say tomato. I understand stats perfectly and the stats say pits are the most frequent killers. Your statement is simply a rationalization having nothing to due with statistical science.

    1
    Reply
    EricaC
    EricaC
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Marty

    Perhaps you understand stats, but not causality?

    0
    Reply
    Anne
    Anne
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Paul Langer

    But we obviously don’t control the owners— that is why so many people want the breed banned

    15
    Reply
    Jbrvec
    Jbrvec
    1 year ago

    Gale has to go. She’s ineffective and old and powerless.

    21
    Reply
    Tanya
    Tanya
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jbrvec

    Perhaps you haven’t dropped by Gale Brewer’s office seeking assistance before, but she is incredibly effective and takes her community’s concerns very seriously. She acts quickly, genuinely cares (look how fast this Town Hall came together) and works hard to create positive change. As you likely well know, her role doesn’t give her the power to change the laws, but she certainly exercises all the avenues she can on our behalf. A person’s age brings experience, a track record, knowing the system(s) and wisdom, so thank you, Gale, for all you have done with regard to this Pit Bull tragedy and all the other things you work so hard on to create positive change on in our neighborhood!

    3
    Reply
    Che
    Che
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Tanya

    Thank you. I think some people look at CM Brewer but don’t see her. She’t truly dynamic and responsive, working to support or oppose things that matter to us now and obsessed with the quality of life in our community.

    Those two Ivy League schools plus Bennington sure worked out well for her!

    0
    Reply
    Eugene Nickerson
    Eugene Nickerson
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jbrvec

    The UWS had a choice, Maria Danzilo, who is younger than Gale!

    12
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jbrvec

    “old” is your issue with Brewer?

    The City Council can’t write/pass state criminal laws.

    Then, remember Helen Rosenthal?

    8
    Reply
    Guy Velella
    Guy Velella
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jay

    Sara Lind is young and would be worse than Gale!

    5
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Guy Velella

    I have no idea who Ms Lind is.

    Now that I’ve looked her up on the web, why do you suppose her worse than Ms Brewer?

    I have my problems with Brewer, and I’ve not forgotten she supported Mike’s illegal 3rd term, but Brewer is vastly better than Helen Rosenthal.

    0
    Reply
    Anne
    Anne
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jbrvec

    I think it’s unfair to invoke age— her age is if anything a plus— older people gain wisdom that younger people often (understandably) don’t yet have.

    13
    Reply
    Manhattan parent
    Manhattan parent
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Anne

    In Gale’s case – she only acquired wisdom how to advance her career while throwing empty platitudes.

    8
    Reply
    SParker
    SParker
    1 year ago

    Where was this meeting held- why wasn’t info posted? I would have wanted to be there. Hope something will be done- this is a tragedy and people and pets need to be protected. What the hell is wrong with our laws and society? This should be criminal and the dogs ought to be euthanized. They are a danger to society and the owners did nothing to stop their dogs? As human beings, with respect for life, the police should have done something.

    13
    Reply
    Kay
    Kay
    1 year ago

    Forgive my bluntness, but I’m confused what the goal of those calling for action — do they want the city to kill the pit bulls? It feels like this is being danced around.

    5
    Reply
    JGriff
    JGriff
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Kay

    They should absolutely be removed from their current owner. He clearly has NO control over these dogs that he has failed to train, and is obviously unconcerned with who gets hurt. I hope Penny’s person sues him into bankruptcy.

    3
    Reply
    Darwin
    Darwin
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Kay

    Would advocate putting the owners down. Someone needs to evaluate the dogs & decide whether they are salvageable. If not, unfortunately, they would have to be put down. Three attacks that included one death + at least one bite of a human is too much.

    22
    Reply
    Carlos
    Carlos
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Kay

    You can prevent the further breeding of pit bulls. Thus you are not killing any pit bull currently alive (except these two which deserve to die) but eliminating the possibility of further problems. The statistics about pit bulls are overwhelming. Yes, there are plenty who are not bad, but why take the chance. Are people that desperate to own a pit bull? There are plenty of other breeds out there.

    14
    Reply
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Kay

    Anyone who has been attacked by a Pit Bull, or has a friend or relative who has been attacked and gravely injured, could be completely forgiven for wanting to eliminate Pitt Bulls in some way. I know from first hand experience. These “pets” are unprovoked aggressive attackers. I don’t understanf why anyone would take a chance in owning one. To me that is crazy, and irresponsible.

    22
    Reply
    Paul Langer
    Paul Langer
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Life-long Upper West Sider

    Not at all true. Pit Bulls are just like any other dog. They are loving, gentle dogs. Bad owners can make any breed unsafe, even little dogs.

    3
    Reply
    Marty
    Marty
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Paul Langer

    You keep saying it and it doesn’t make it true. Statistically pit bulls are more likely to attack and kill.

    6
    Reply
    Anne
    Anne
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Paul Langer

    But a chihuahua doesn’t kill you. And pit bulls “attract” abusive, sociopathic owners. It’s a whole power thing.

    14
    Reply
    Mel
    Mel
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Anne

    Or they have the biggest hearts and want to adopt a dog from the ASPCA or other life-saving animal shelter, the vast dog populations of which are typically bully and/or terrier mixes.
    The larger, more problematic and enforceable issue is the problem of any dog running at large, unleashed. I don’t care if you think your dog is friendly, it’s a rule for a reason.

    4
    Reply
    Sandro
    Sandro
    1 year ago

    ““You’ll file a report if someone slashes my tires, but not if my dog gets killed by another dog?” a crowd member called out at one point.”

    Excellent point. Fine, dogs are presently viewed as property. So are our car tires. And yet the police will create a writing in the latter property case, but not the former. Make it make sense.

    30
    Reply
    Josh
    Josh
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Sandro

    The issue is that the property is being attacked by other property. Since dogs are property, property can’t attack other property.

    Now the retort here is that the knife used to slash the tires is also property. So if I can use property (a knife) to slash your tires (your property), why aren’t they at least being charged with vandalism?

    4
    Reply
    Sandro
    Sandro
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Josh

    I appreciate your response. It sounds satisfactorily “legal” while also highlighting how the law’s present state is supported by ticky tack technicality. Provided the attacking dog is owned by a human, you have the needed “knife-wielder” needed in order to bring charges. The law hasn’t caught up with societal norms.

    0
    Reply
    Elizabeth Bergen
    Elizabeth Bergen
    1 year ago

    How is Penny doing? Sending ♥️

    13
    Reply
    Liza
    Liza
    1 year ago

    Can we not fine these owners for their recklessness ? I am now scared to take my chihuahua on walks and to the Riverside dog park. This is creating fear for dog owners in a very dog-prominent neighborhood.

    21
    Reply
    Albert
    Albert
    1 year ago

    NEW YORK STATE’S DANGEROUS DOG LAW SECTIONS 108(24) AND 123 OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW Q & A
    – from NY State Bar Association

    A dangerous dog is any dog that without justification, attacks a person, companion animal, farm animal or domestic animal and causes physical injury or death, or behaves in a manner that a “reasonable person” would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to one or more persons, companion animals, farm animals or domestic animals, or without justification attacks a service dog, guide dog or hearing dog and causes physical injury or death.

    18
    Reply
    Mel
    Mel
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Albert

    “Without justification” is the key clause here. The law that is being broken is having a dog running at large. It’s a law that everyone in Central Park seems to think is nothing more than a suggestion. This would not have happened had the dog been leashed but no one enforces that law and it shows.

    7
    Reply
    Tired
    Tired
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Mel

    Ummm. The dogs were leashed and incident didn’t occur in the Park.

    1
    Reply
    AnnieNYC
    AnnieNYC
    1 year ago

    So, if dogs are property and therefore cannot be taken from their owners even if proven out of control and dangerous to other animals (and people), then if someone vandalizes my car with a chainsaw then they cannot be charged and their chainsaw cannot be confiscated because the chainsaw is property? Make it make sense. The law as it stands basically allows people to train their dogs to attack, then have nary a criminal consequence for it when the dogs do attack. How come the law does not immediately require at the very least a muzzle on a proven-violent dog and an investigation into the owner’s handling of the dog?

    Last edited 1 year ago by AnnieNYC
    14
    Reply
    Anne
    Anne
    1 year ago

    Making dogs legally “sentient beings” rather than property is a start. Also prevention is foremost— Chicago has a muzzle mandate for all pit bulls in public. (Vienna has a muzzle mandate for all dogs in public.) Miami has an outright ban. Pit bulls are banned in much of Italy, Ontario, New Zealand. Even our neighbor Larchmont has implemented a ban/restriction since 1998. People always say, “oh it’s not the dog it’s the owner”— true enough but until we can control the owners, I would like a ban on these dangerous dogs. We shouldn’t have to be afraid to walk our dogs in our own neighborhoods. I can’t walk down the street with a loaded gun, and if a pit pit bull attacks your beloved pup, it’s the same tragedy as someone recklessly shooting it. They are used as sick expressions of power/intimidation. There are plenty of other nice breeds decent people could give homes to. My deepest empathy to Penny.

    24
    Reply
    Wilneida
    Wilneida
    1 year ago

    Im afraid this has been happening for much longer. These dogs and owner tried to attack my dog on the hill near the 85th street and CPW entrance TWO years ago. I was able to pick up my dog and raise them to the air, but I was bitten two times by the dog. The owner completely ignored my pleas to at the minimum confirm if the dogs had had their rabies shots, but took off with the dogs with me chasing them down the street till he went in the 86th street subway. The police was called, I had to go to the ER, and all I was told I could do was file a 311 report. The actions of this owner are criminal negligence to the fullest extent.

    39
    Reply
    Milena
    Milena
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Wilneida

    There is also a producer on one of the the UWS dog groups that is interested in doing a piece and asked for people with their stories to come forward. Most importantly, you may want to reach out to the Dept. of Health and DA office where, both agencies investigating owner and the two pitts.

    10
    Reply
    Susan
    Susan
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Wilneida

    Wilneida: Please contact Lauren Claus, Penny’s owner or post this on Upper West Side Dog Club (FaceBook). I believe this information may help establish even more of a pattern.

    24
    Reply
    Susan
    Susan
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Susan

    Wilneida: Penny’s owner is right now looking for any other evidence of what these dogs have done. I just saw a new post. She’s looking for an attorney to work with. You can get in touch with her, Lauren Claus through Upper west Side Dog Cub on Facebook or connect with her directly

    3
    Reply
    Patricia
    Patricia
    1 year ago

    I don’t understand these laws – in California if a dog attacks a human or other dog, the owner is held responsible by law. Animal Control shows up at the residence and takes the dogs if necessary. California usually does not do things as well as NY, but in this matter they do.
    How does animal control not take these dogs?

    24
    Reply
    UWS40
    UWS40
    1 year ago

    It’s the owner of the bullies that should be jailed.
    If dogs are not properly trained it’s the owners fault.

    21
    Reply
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    1 year ago
    Reply to  UWS40

    Nonsense. Some dogs simply cannot be trained (like wolves).

    5
    Reply
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    1 year ago
    Reply to  UWS40

    Some animals CANNOT be trained. Pitt Bulls are dangerous, given to completely unprovoked ( and vicious ) attacks. Would you have a tiger as a pet, however appealing it may be to some people?

    11
    Reply
    Mel
    Mel
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Life-long Upper West Sider

    These are fiercely loyal and protective animals and need to be trained responsibly otherwise their reactivity can cause serious harm. However, at best, they were called “nanny dogs” for a reason….people would leave their bully to babysit the kids! I had one and living and traveling as a single woman with a bully by my side made it safer than with any boyfriend or partner walking next to me.

    2
    Reply
    Anne
    Anne
    1 year ago

    Correction: Miami lifted ban in 2023. And Chicago muzzle mandate is for dogs deemed dangerous. But the sentiment of the bans persists in places where they have been banned. At least consider muzzle laws.

    4
    Reply
    Albert
    Albert
    1 year ago

    NEW YORK STATE’S DANGEROUS DOG LAW
    Sections 108(24) and 123 of the Agriculture and Markets Law

    A dangerous dog is any dog that without justification attacks a person … [or] domestic animal and causes physical injury or death. ..

    To make a complaint, contact the local dog control officer or police officer.

    If [that person] thinks a dog is dangerous, he/she may go before the judge, [who]
    will determine whether there is “probable cause” to determine that the dog is dangerous. [If so] the judge will issue an order requiring that the dog be taken away from the owner immediately.

    11
    Reply
    Uwsdr
    Uwsdr
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Albert

    From personal experience, I am sad to say that this law is not enforced and proving it it a civil case is extremely difficult.

    9
    Reply
    Allison
    Allison
    1 year ago

    These dogs absolutely need to be taken away from their humans, who are clearly bad dog parents. Pitbulls aren’t aggressive unless they’re taught to be. Poor Penny.

    7
    Reply
    Jaime
    Jaime
    1 year ago

    This can’t be the most important issue facing the UWS, unreal how much attention this has gotten.

    5
    Reply
    Joe
    Joe
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jaime

    No one is saying this is the “most” important issue, but it’s important. This is about the safety of the community. They killed someone’s dog in the park. I’m guessing you don’t have a pet? Sure hope you don’t live here!

    11
    Reply
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    Life-long Upper West Sider
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jaime

    You are lucky to not have not been a victim. One cannot depend on luck.

    10
    Reply
    Ian Alterman
    Ian Alterman
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jaime

    Lacking sympathy much? Issues are not mutually exclusive. Many issues can be important at the same time, and all need to be addressed.

    13
    Reply
    Anne
    Anne
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jaime

    I beg to differ—
    Dogs are our children
    Loves of my life💕
    It is THE most important UWS issue to me.

    10
    Reply
    Peter
    Peter
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Anne

    Dogs are children about as much as a guy moved a giant rock in front of a cave three days after he died, or as much as a jolly old guy flies around in a sled delivering toys at night.

    You’re, of course, free to believe any and all of the above.

    6
    Reply
    as any
    as any
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jaime

    If the dog rips apart a child, are you going to say the same thing?

    17
    Reply
    Shelby
    Shelby
    1 year ago

    I am ashamed to say this happened in my neighborhood. I cry every time I hear this. That NYC allows this behavior is a disgrace. If a darling dog isn’t safe no one is. Reminds me of the dogs in Nazi Germany. I might add, it’s the owners who should be put in jail.

    14
    Reply
    neighbor785
    neighbor785
    1 year ago

    Recently two pit bulls tore a lhasa apso apart in the Bronx. Little Juju was attacked just yards from his front door when beginning a walk with his owner and her daughter. The man who owns the pit bulls just said “I’m so sorry, call 911” and then with a female ran away with the pit bulls.

    18
    Reply
    Bill Williams
    Bill Williams
    1 year ago

    Dog owners are the scourge of the UWS.

    18
    Reply
    Anne
    Anne
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Bill Williams

    Interestingly, humans who dislike dogs often overlap sociopath psychological profiles…

    10
    Reply
    Manhattan parent
    Manhattan parent
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Anne

    Hitler loved dogs.

    Enough with pop psychology

    8
    Reply
    ELIZABETH
    ELIZABETH
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Bill Williams

    AMEN. So many dog owners have no manners, no sense of civic responsibility or even common sense. Keep your dog on the leash, pick up the poop, don’t let your dog pee on sidewalk planters, curb it, maintain close control of the leash… the list goes on and on. Is it because these clueless scofflaws didn’t grow up with a dog? Seems a lot worse since Covid persuaded many to adopt a pet…

    23
    Reply
    GPeck
    GPeck
    1 year ago
    Reply to  ELIZABETH

    all up and down Broadway –the tree wells are used by dog owners -precious few dog owners actually curb their dogs. And let’s not forget the the owners who bring their dogs into Whole Foods or Target – I saw an owner with their dog IN A STORE SHOPPING CART! The dog cartel is out of control and have no sense of neighborhood or sanitation.

    19
    Reply
    Frank Padavan
    Frank Padavan
    1 year ago
    Reply to  GPeck

    The dog lobby is more powerful than the bike lobby! But at least dogs are loveable creatures, urbanists are toxic.

    3
    Reply
    John
    John
    1 year ago

    This is ridiculous. If I use my property to vandalize someone else’s property, the police will definitely cite me, and possibly arrest me if they think they can (e.g. if I go and tag their cars or something else stupid). And fair enough.

    So why can this guys property be used to maul someone else’s property without repercussions?? Either dogs are property in which case this guy is fully responsible, or the dogs are something different, in which case they can be held responsible. Where is the gap here?

    14
    Reply
    Jan
    Jan
    1 year ago

    We need serious owner training. Before someone can bring dogs into their homes.
    These dogs were leashed, but seriously untrained and viscuous. Shame shame shame on the owner and for the lack of law enforcement that enables these dogs to stay with this owner
    This kind of criminal should not be allowed to own any dog , and should be criminally charged!!!!!

    7
    Reply
    as any
    as any
    1 year ago

    Years ago, I raised my German Shepherd with my cat. Or, I should say, my cat raised my German Shepherd. Dogs raised with other animals do much better than without. Any breed can learn respect for other animals; it’s the owner most of the time who is the problem. My dog would defer to any small animal. He loved them. He once picked up a wounded pigeon in his mouth so gently just to put it down where it wouldn’t get stepped on. I miss Cody every day. A lot of people do. I cannot imagine the horror of having a vicious dog.

    8
    Reply
    Jan
    Jan
    1 year ago

    Please. We need more dogs on the UWS. Old people especially appreciate can do without the dangerous overcrowding.

    1
    Reply
    Jaime
    Jaime
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jan

    More dogs!? We can barely clean up the existing dogs’ excrement….

    12
    Reply
    OPOE
    OPOE
    1 year ago

    As predicted, nothing will happen.

    This is the new normal.

    Last edited 1 year ago by OPOE
    10
    Reply
    Joeb
    Joeb
    1 year ago

    Horses, pigs, dogs and such have no place in a large city. They should all be verboten.

    3
    Reply
    midwest product
    midwest product
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Joeb

    Curious to hear your take as to why dogs have no place in a big city. I will wait.

    Last edited 1 year ago by midwest product
    0
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Joeb

    You realize you’re also for banning the injured dog, Penny?

    2
    Reply
    BerniceKatzman
    BerniceKatzman
    1 year ago

    Kudos for actually getting out from behind your keyboard and going to cover something like a real reporter.

    0
    Reply
    Carmella Ombrella
    Carmella Ombrella
    1 year ago
    Reply to  BerniceKatzman

    Seems to me the Rag’s reporters, who are not exactly as numerous as the NYT’s, do an excellent job of covering events and issues of interest to the UWS. They’re out on the street and attending meetings like this one. What gives you the impression that Gus, et al, are hiding behind their keyboards?

    18
    Reply
    BerniceKatzman
    BerniceKatzman
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Carmella Ombrella

    You need to work on your reading comprehension.. All I did was compliment the reporting done here.

    6
    Reply
    Carmella Ombrella
    Carmella Ombrella
    1 year ago
    Reply to  BerniceKatzman

    Re-read words 3 to 9 of your original post. Perhaps you did not mean it the way it reads — but it’s clearly damning with very faint praise.
    And please restrain your keyboard’s unmannerly way of criticizing the reading ability of others.

    Last edited 1 year ago by Carmella Ombrella
    2
    Reply
    BerniceKatzman
    BerniceKatzman
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Carmella Ombrella

    The way YOU read it is not necessarily the way “it reads.”

    1
    Reply
    Sal Bando
    Sal Bando
    1 year ago

    NY progressive ideologues banned the sale of dogs in pet stores and and they tell you to go adopt one. But 70 percent of the dogs up for adoption in the shelters are pit bulls.

    7
    Reply
    James Monroe.2025
    James Monroe.2025
    1 year ago

    For equity reasons Democrats do not want to turn this into a criminal matter.

    12
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    1 year ago
    Reply to  James Monroe.2025

    Really, explain further than “equality reasons”?

    Wire Haired Fox Terriers can be viscous in an attack too, they’re bread to kill foxes. One bit through my hand when attacking another dog. But Wire Haired Fox Terriers have a different ownership profile (in general) than pit bull owners.

    The point: all sorts of “cohorts” own dangerous dogs.

    1
    Reply
    OPOE
    OPOE
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jay

    Beagles are deadly also,

    0
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    1 year ago
    Reply to  OPOE

    Beagles are not bread to kill foxes, or rats.

    0
    Reply
    Carol
    Carol
    1 year ago

    Those dogs need to be put down .

    13
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Carol

    What’s the law say regards attacks on other dogs, not humans?

    0
    Reply
    Manhattan parent
    Manhattan parent
    1 year ago

    “
    Dogs That Attacked Penny the Chihuhua on the UWS Will Remain in Owner’s Custody for Now: Town”

    To me it is not the major issue – the major issue is will the owners be taken to custody?

    14
    Reply
    SLeann
    SLeann
    1 year ago

    How is this owner protected? I just saw the still frames from the other dog attack and he was completely unbothered. This is disgusting!

    14
    Reply
    Ron Wasserman
    Ron Wasserman
    1 year ago

    The problem for me is that there is no repercussion or illegality about the owners of the pits just walking away. There at a bare minimum has to be something along the lines of a penalty as there is in a hit an run, IRRESPECTIVE of any damage or injury.

    14
    Reply
    Angel of UWS
    Angel of UWS
    1 year ago

    NYC needs to get this right. Those two slobs allowed and get joy watching their dogs kill defenseless little dogs. I’ve seen that rude couple in the neighborhood. NYPD could arrest and remove those beasts because they bit a person during the incident and they have the man pulling another man’s hair on video so his dog can get a better position during the attack. That’s assault! NYPD is just lazy and is taking the easy path. That’s why Drug Stores have empty shelves. They don’t enforce any laws.

    15
    Reply
    OPOD
    OPOD
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Angel of UWS

    Remember the War on Police? You LOST.

    5
    Reply
    OPOE
    OPOE
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Angel of UWS

    Not the fault of NYPD.

    Vote better.

    6
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    1 year ago
    Reply to  OPOE

    Adams was a cop, and he sure is lazy.

    You’re saying we should vote for whom, Bill D?

    0
    Reply
    Flo
    Flo
    1 year ago

    When Gale Brewer gets involved in something, expect no outcome. She is all hot air, but no solutions.

    Right now she should be focusing on holding the pit bull owners responsible, not introducing new concepts. The existing laws work just fine if you enforce them properly.

    11
    Reply
    Frank Padavan
    Frank Padavan
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Flo

    She is a liberal Tony Avella. Tony Avella in NE Queens was the same thing.

    2
    Reply
    Chrispy
    Chrispy
    1 year ago

    Why don’t we know who the pit bull owners are?

    7
    Reply
    Manhattan parent
    Manhattan parent
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Chrispy

    Because they are not charged with a crime.

    Though the names of all so called “Karens” were widely available despite lack of crime.

    5
    Reply
    Claire
    Claire
    1 year ago

    These owners are disgusting. They need to be held accountable. We deserve better. We cannot let this be another story. We must demand change and not stop. Justice for Penny!

    5
    Reply
    Tony
    Tony
    1 year ago

    If the owners of the pitbulls are known, why are Penny’s owners not pursuing a civil lawsuit against them for “property” damage to Penny? I suspect needing to cover the costs of Penny’s medical procedures might get these individuals to reconsider taking their attack dogs out in public.

    8
    Reply
    Gaspode
    Gaspode
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Tony

    They are doing that.

    ‘We are in the process of finding a lawyer, it’s not an easy process. But we will be moving forward to get the dogs declared dangerous, number 1, and then we will speak about further civil recourse after that.’

    The owner has a GoFundMe page to help with lawyer fees and any medical expenses for Penny. Please donate!

    3
    Reply
    Jack McClure
    Jack McClure
    1 year ago

    What a shock — our local representative was unable to do anything to help ensure the safety of her fax-paying constituents. Again.

    5
    Reply
    UWS Neighbor
    UWS Neighbor
    1 year ago

    This man lives at the corner of my street and I’ve seen him walking these dogs several times down my block. Once they were off leash. I was already terrified to pass them as he gave off vibes like “What are you scared”. But I would cross the street anyway while he would stare knowing he had this power over other people. What will happen now? He will know no one can do anything about his dogs which gives him more power. I shudder and pray he has gone under ground and I will never have to pass him again. How can one person ruin a whole neighbor hood for all.? It’s so not fair.

    14
    Reply
    Alf Unkelski
    Alf Unkelski
    1 year ago
    Reply to  UWS Neighbor

    Projects?

    1
    Reply
    Patty Duke
    Patty Duke
    1 year ago

    Pathetic

    0
    Reply
    Marty
    Marty
    1 year ago

    My wife was attacked without warning by an off leash pit bull in Central Park. The owner, an attorney tried to waffle about providing proof of rabies vaccination. We said, “provide it or animal control will check your dogs rabies status via brain necroscopy. We had the proof of vaccination shortly thereafter. Pit Bull owners seem to have a chip on their shoulders about the rules applying differently to them. I think there is a self select of individuals that choose to own a dog that is responsible for the vast majority of canine inflicted injuries in this country.

    6
    Reply
    Strauss Park
    Strauss Park
    1 year ago

    Unfortunately there is a particular type of dog owners who choose pit bulls, mastiffs, and Rottweilers exactly because they want to intimidate and scare. (Not all – I know – but I am sure many of us have seen the type.) These owners, with multiple attacks by unleashed dogs appear to fit the profile. A friend of mine got attacked unprovoked by such a dog and suffered terrible injuries. There should be no second chances for these dogs. I would support a verified Go Fund Me for Penny’s owner.

    3
    Reply
    Curmudgeon
    Curmudgeon
    1 year ago

    Waiting for the Columbia sit-in to protest the persecution of the pit bulls’ owners

    5
    Reply

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