Hello to all our readers! Welcome back to another enlightening edition of the CertaPet newsletter. This week, we cover a dog attack in New York City. So, let’s get to the details without wasting any time.
Dog Attack In Upper West Side Leads To Controversy About ESA Rights
A legal dispute surrounding a mixed-breed Emotional Support Animal (ESA), Sam, arose this past week in the Upper West Side when the ESA was accused of attacking residents of an apartment building.
The tenant leading the lawsuit is Joe Venafro. He accused Sam’s owners, Alan Katz and Inna Fayenson, of negligence in controlling their ESA and the building’s management of failing to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of residents.
Venafro decided to follow legal recourse after discovering Sam’s involvement in multiple altercations with residents, visitors, and the building staff.
Experts state the case highlights the issue of balancing the rights of ESAs against community safety amid a spate of recent dog attacks in urban areas. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 19,000 dog bite claims were filed in the US in 2023.
Of these, 851 claims were in New York State, and overall payouts amounted to $56.7 million. ESAs are protected by federal and state law, but critics argue that ESA status is awarded too easily and requires stricter monitoring to avoid community risk.
While details of Sam’s case are still being uncovered, the lawsuit has divided the building’s residents on the matter and grabbed media attention, underscoring the challenges of controlling animal behavior in dense urban environments.
Source: https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animals/emotional-support-dog-sparks-controversy-and-legal-battle-in-nyc/
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
While dog attacks have certainly increased recently, the reason behind these incidents remains unclear. Nonetheless, critics of ESA laws are using these attacks to demand stricter ESA regulations, which we encourage. An ESA letter is a prescription written by a licensed mental health professional. There are many companies out there offering to register your pet in a database or “certify” an ESA with instant approval and no credentials or licensed mental health professionals.
Here at CertaPet, only through your therapist can you receive an ESA letter!
If you’re living with a mental illness, getting an emotional support animal could really help your recovery. These loving animals could ease your symptoms and help you live a happier, fuller life. If you’re ready to start the process, take our 5-minute pre-screening test for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional, who will have a consultation with you. Then, if you qualify, you’ll get your ESA letter in no time.