By Julia Shipley
When Penny the chihuahua was attacked by two pit bulls on the Upper West Side in May, there was initial confusion about the role of police in following up on the incident. But eventually, Lauren Claus, one of Penny’s owners, got help from an officer in the 24th Precinct, who assisted her in filing a dangerous dog report.
That officer was Sarah Frankel, one of the precinct’s crime prevention officers. Unlike most desks in the precinct, though, Frankel’s has canned dog food, treats, and dog bowls stashed nearby. That’s because, in addition to her crime prevention duties, Frankel has become the go-to person for filing a dangerous dog report, not just for the Upper West Side precinct, but for any precinct throughout the five boroughs.
A decade ago, she was among two dozen officers on the force who volunteered to receive dangerous dog training, Frankel explained to West Side Rag in an interview.
The officer training came in 2014 after the NYPD took over animal abuse and neglect cases in New York City from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, amid complaints that the organization could not handle the volume of abuse reports.
“[After] the partnership between the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the police force was disbanded, the [NYPD] was looking for an officer from each precinct to volunteer and learn about all things in the animal cruelty world, including the agriculture and market laws pertaining to animal cruelty,” Frankel said.
By the time WSR first sat down with Frankel this summer, 15 distraught dog owners, many of whom had been unsuccessful in filing reports in their own precincts, had filled out the dangerous dog paperwork this year with Frankel. She said she is one of two remaining original trainees still on the job.
Some of the victims’ pictures were pinned above her desk: There’s chihuahua-tiny “Forrest,” and “Luna,” who looks like an ink black corgi. And then, below the small and fluffy “Clementine,” there’s “Honey”: a tawny, muppet-like dog with glossy black eyes.
WSR caught up with Officer Frankel to understand why the two pit bulls owned by Joseph Columbus are still at large, as well as to ask where and how owners can seek support for dog-on-dog attacks.
WSR: Can you tell me about your history with the police force, and how you came to your role as — do you have an official name, like “dangerous dog officer”?
Frankel: I have been with the New York City Police Department for over twenty years. Several years ago, the department rolled out the Animal Cruelty Liaison program to teach officers about the nuances regarding animal cruelty incidents and to act as liaisons between the department and animal cruelty incidents. Since I am an animal lover [Frankel has a dog], I was happy to volunteer to join the program. It is a role in addition to my current position as a crime prevention officer.
WSR: How is a dog biting a dog different legally and procedurally than a dog biting a human?
Frankel: Both procedures are the same. In the case of an incident involving a dangerous animal, it would be documented on a Dangerous Animal/Bite report, which gets sent to the Department of Health and also could result in a civil court proceeding. However, if the attack is intentional, then it could rise to the level of criminality.
WSR: Why are officers in other precincts not familiar with the Dangerous Dog Report procedure? Why are you the de facto “go-to” officer?
Frankel: The majority of officers are not familiar with these procedures. When I joined this unit years ago, there was a trained officer in most precincts. As years have gone by, those officers have retired and/or transferred, taking this animal knowledge with them. I am happy to help when I can and where I can, even if these incidents occur in other boroughs.
WSR: What are the steps that people should take if their dog was harmfully bitten by another dog?
Frankel: The steps should be, first and foremost, to get your dog medical attention, if necessary. Also, be sure to retain all paperwork regarding veterinary services. Then I would suggest going to your [police] precinct and completing the Dangerous Animal/Bite report as best as you can. One copy gets sent to the Department of Health, and they follow up on their end. I have seen people whose dogs were attacked post social media posts looking for additional information in holding those dog owners responsible.
WSR: How many dangerous dog reports have you helped file as of October 15th, 2025?
Frankel: So far this year, I have assisted 18 dog owners to help them through the process after their dogs were attacked. The only borough I haven’t assisted is Staten Island.
WSR: When one dog is biting multiple dogs over the course of weeks and months and years — is there a police process for dealing with that?
Frankel: The process is the same for us right now. We file reports for people when their dogs are attacked, and those reports are sent to the Department of Health. It is the Department of Health that investigates and initiates court proceedings like they did in the case involving Joe Columbus.
In March, following the January 2025 attack on Chuckie and Grover, two Shih tzu-mix dogs owned by Lauren Block, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued an Order of the Commissioner against Joseph Columbus, which required him to train and muzzle the two dogs that attacked Chuckie and Grover. The DOH’s actions supported the plaintiffs’ case when Lauren Claus, Lauren Block, and Devon Allen initiated their civil suit in June 2025. Both plaintiffs and the defense have presented their arguments and Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond who has presided over the case is expected to rule this month.
WSR: What’s your preventative advice to dog owners in New York City?
Frankel: My preventative advice is to maintain control of your dog. I am not a fan of retractable leashes, so I find myself to be super cautious when walking my dog around dogs leashed in that way. I also practice situational awareness when walking my dog; avoiding burying my face in my phone and just paying attention to everything around me. Also, this is my personal preference, but I would never take my dog to the park during unleashed hours.
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I am confused. I have seen no reports of the Columbus’ since they went on the lam. Were they finally caught? If so, why was there no follow-up to the public? What is the status of the case? Were the dogs not removed from their ownership? If not, why not? And were additional reports of child abuse and other crimes ever followed up?
I would like to see WSR do a detailed piece on this, and I think a great many others would like the same thing.
I’ve seen him on West 83rd off of Columbus not that long ago. Pretty hard to miss the guy and his dog.
In my position as a scholar on animal cognition (dog cognition in particular) as well as someone who lives with dogs, I would hate for Officer Frankel’s admitted personal preference for not taking dogs off leash to be taken as advice to avoid off-leash hours. This time (before 9 in some areas of parks (including Central Park and Riverside Park)) is incredibly valuable to both dogs and their people, and incredibly safe: if 18 is the number of bites that required attention over the year, it is very low compared to the numbers of dogs out in those hours. This morning I’d guess I saw a little over 100 dogs in the forty minutes I spent in the park.
I also diverge from the NYPD in classifying any dogs as “dangerous dogs.” No dog is intrinsically dangerous. When a dog’s behavior is aggressive, it is due to many factors, including the context, but almost always based on the owner’s behavior.
Wow – cool to see Alexandra Horowitz comment on this story! The Rag should consider doing an interview with you as well.
Also many dogs are less reactive when off leash, ironically making it safer for everyone.
Not at all. I’ve been chased and bit by unleashed dogs. The regulations matter for a reason and to claim that ‘it’s safer for everyone’ when owners don’t have control of their animal is risible
I’ve been chased and bit by more unleashed humans than dogs in this city…
Agree with this. NYC dogs are incredibly well socialized. That doesn’t mean there aren’t bad apples, which we should all be mindful of. But the pre-9am, off-leash fetch time in Central Park is invaluable for my lab.
18 is the amount of people requesting assistance. I’m pretty sure the number of dogs actually bitten is much higher, but like the article states a lot of people don’t know what can be done in those situations. And reading the article it looks like it’s simply documenting dogs that have been involved in incidents. There is no insinuation that every dog is a dangerous dog.
Off leash hours? Dogs are off leash in Riverside Park at all hours even in areas where they are never allowed off leash. There is no enforcement at all and entitled dog owners now do as they please in the park. It’s disgraceful.
Ask park staff about this. They’re livid.
In many civilized countries off leash hours are all day, every day.
The idea that NYC is not “civilized” for having leash laws is adorable.
London leashes in parks, Paris fines you, Rome sets leash lengths, Tokyo doesn’t even allow off-leash. The only wild thing here is pretending New York is anything but lenient. Other “civilized” countries also actually ENFORCE THE LAW. I guess that’s what makes them civilized!
London and Paris? No way I don’t think I saw a leash when I’ve been there, dogs just stroll next to their owners leashless through Parisian streets and in London they are running around the huge lawns they have in parks there. In Italy grocery stores have special carts for dogs.
Tokyo maybe but Japan has so many rules about everything so it makes sense it extends to dogs. In NYC we just had a guy bludgeoned to death in the subway but the doodles chasing sticks in Riverside park are the problem. Ok.
Dogs can be off leash in NYC at all hours in dog runs. Every major city not only has leash laws but often requires owners to muzzle dogs on public transport and to carry muzzles. There are designated all hours off leash areas. However, your implication is that dogs are running free in the “civilized countries”. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact they are often more heavily regulated and the laws are ENFORCED.
The dog runs in nyc are tiny and disgusting. If we had one the size and greenery of those in Mexico City I’d get that argument but most dog owners can’t use the dog runs in nyc because of health reasons.
The dog cartel is a defensive scofflaw group – many refuse to take any responsibility for their dogs. Lately I have observed a woman who seems to enjoy encouraging her large off leash dog in Riverside Park to chase squirrels – at all hours mind you. I am repeatedly calling 311 to report it – I have seen some enforcement of late, but never enough or any from the Riverside Park Conservancy employees who seem to think that is not their duty in any way.
RPC can’t enforce dog leashing regulations, and their staff have been bit, chased, cursed out and spat at by dog owners for asking them to control their animals.
It is a bad state of affairs, and only some serious fines will correct behavior
You sound nice 🙄
Agree with everything Doctor Horowitz writes. My family and I spend a significant amount of time with our dog(s) (previously multiple, now singular) outside of the city in more rural and suburban places. NYC dogs are generally far better socialized — better with other dogs, bikes, people of all races, genders and ages, etc… — and far better at being off leash. In huge part, this is because so many dogs get a lot of daily practice being off leash in our amazing city parks during off leash hours.
I would like to know my rights as far as identifying people whose dogs have assaulted me or my dog.
Thank you for your compassion, service, and sharing your knowledge. I appreciate you sharing your personal preference as part of preventative actions. 1000% agree with paying attention to your surroundings, interact with your non retractable-leashed dog and NOT your phone! Excellent advice. You are the best, and I am proud to know you.
Agree.
Officer Frankel gives excellent advice.
It is based on experience/reality in the field.
Her knowedge of dog behavior and making split second decisions has kept her in one piece for all these years.
Just a reminder because sometimes this gets lost on all the dog lovers, they are animals. Animals need to be attended to, fed, cleaned up after, and their behavior observed so that they do not hurt people. They are cute, no doubt, but still animals, with animalistic behavior (because they are animals), and if an individual is going to take their animal out in public, that individual should be held responsible for the animal’s actions, like Columbus.
Sarah is a great asset to the 24 Precinct and to our community . She willingly shares her expertise not only about dog control and management, but also about crime prevention. Brava Sarah! Neil Berson, President, NYPD 24 Precinct Community /Council
I wish Cesar Milan (Dog Whisperer) would come to NYC and train the dog owners. The UWS is over-populated with dogs at this point — it’d be wonderful if at least they would be walked properly. And — notice the term “dog owner” — people don’t own people. Dogs ARE animals.
Please understand that Milan’s methods are not accepted by the entire behaviorist community. You need only check some sources like the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, the IAABC (one of the few legit certifying bodies for behaviorists, and the CCPDT (legit dog training certifying org). Please do not elevate Milan’s methods to anything resembling humane and and effective training. What you see on TV is NOT how he actually “trains.”
Do I understand this right? It is only a criminal offense if the attack was intentional — presumably intentional by the owner as from the dog’s point of view it is always intentional. Thus the police do not get involved if it was “simply” gross negligence on the part of the owner. No wonder nothing seems to have happened with Columbus other than a civil suit which can take forever to get a resolution.
I believe that is what she is saying. That’s the law currently.
If my dog is attacked by another dog in NYC, am I legally allowed to intervene, restrain, and perhaps injure the attacking dog?
I would also like to know this. I recently witnessed a big dog attack a little dog in Central Park (both off leash), and the owner of the little dog physically attacked the big dog, injuring the big dog but saving the life of the little dog. Wondered if he was within his legal rights to do. His dog would be dead if he had not intervened in the way that he did.
It would be helpful if someone who knows the answer would tell us: can I legally protect my dog to the point of injuring or killing a dog that is attacking her?
Sarah is a wonderful officer and really cares about our UWS neighborhood.
I have not had any dog related issues but have had multiple dealings with her on other matters and have always found her to offer real support and follows up on solving issues. I can’t thank her enough for all her help.
I believe the NYC Leash Law stipulates leashes no longer than 6 feet. I’ve seen too many people get tripped by a leash suddenly extending directly in front of them. When it happened to me, I caught myself just in time from falling.
The Judge issued her decision today re: the Columbus case:
https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=kV7wfMmJEIFoNWVr1pOvWA==
Thanks for the link. But what a mess! I doubt that plantiffs will ever see a dollar of their judgements. And no NYPD officer will take custody of Columbus’s dogs. It’s disheartening.
Her dislike for retractable leashes shows that she’s a common-sense dog owner with consideration to her environment. We need more of those on the UWS. Most of the dog owners here are the absolute worst. I don’t need to get into the long list of reasons. They’ve been covered by other commenters and we all see it every day.
Many dog owners in the area have no choice but to walk their dogs in a lot of unleashed areas before 9:00 AM. Not everyone has a WFH job where they can walk their dog at 11:00 AM or noon. My dog derives so much enrichment from the neighborhood parks, and I have to be at my office at 9:30 AM, meaning I have to walk him at 6:45 AM. I appreciate what Officer Frankel does for our community, but that specific advice seems a bit unreasonable.
OK – I’ve NEVER seen the NYPD in the park enforcing dog leashing. Or on sidewalks on the UWS’ avenues. I’ve even asked cops in Riverside to enforce leashing in the middle of the afternoon while on my runs there, and they’ve said ‘oh that’s not our job.’
Worth noting there are zero parks rangers assigned in Riverside Park, from 96 street up to 125th…