Hello and welcome back, readers! This week, the CertaPet team is taking you to New York, where a dog attack on a service animal has triggered demands for harsher consequences for irresponsible pet owners and dangerous animals. Read on to learn more.
Dog Attack In The Upper West Side Prompts Lawmakers To Review Pet Owner Accountability Laws
A violent dog attack on the Upper West Side has spurred calls for legislative reform from New York City officials. These officeholders are arguing that current laws fall short regarding protecting pets and bringing irresponsible dog owners to account.
The event in question involved Penny, a 10-year-old chihuahua mix service dog, who was gravely injured after being attacked by two pit bulls during a Saturday night walk. According to her owner, Lauren Claus, the pit bull handlers stood by doing nothing to stop their dogs. And they promptly fled the scene after the attack.
Penny was immediately rushed to the hospital by Claus’s ex-boyfriend, who was with the service dog at the time of the attack. Thankfully, Penny is on the road to recovery now.
Video footage of the incident shows the pit bulls lunging at Penny while bystanders try to intervene. Claus said watching the footage for the first time was traumatic. “I can’t watch it because my dog is essentially being manhandled, and two very irresponsible owners are not doing anything to stop it,” she said.
The NYPD reported that a 64-year-old man tried to help but was pushed by someone who then fled the scene. A harassment report has been filed.
Claus is now calling for criminal charges against the dogs’ owners and has launched a petition urging Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to take action. She also hopes the law can be changed to give pet owners more protection and legal options.
Council member Gale Brewer and Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar are both exploring legal reforms. Rajkumar called the current lack of criminal accountability a “wake-up call” and is drafting legislation in response.
Mayor Adams confirmed the NYPD and city health officials are reviewing the case. Officials urge anyone bitten by a dog to seek medical attention and report the incident for investigation, so that the health department can take appropriate action.
Source: Gothamist
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
At CertaPet, we recognize and appreciate the crucial role that service animals play in the lives of those who need their support. Attacks like the one that occurred in the Upper West Side highlight the need for stronger legal protections for indispensable companions like Penny, which is why we’re advocating for the following:
- Stronger Legal Protections: A reclassification of service animals to ensure they receive appropriate legal status and safeguards.
- Increased Public Awareness: Promoting education on responsible pet ownership and the role service animals play in many lives.
- Greater Accountability: Calling for laws that hold negligent pet owners liable when their actions result in harm to others.
Service dogs have to undergo extensive training to perform specialized tasks and to be able to appropriately behave in public and crowded situations. Basic behavioral training and the ability to follow simple commands should be at the base of pet ownership to guarantee that even regular dogs can safely interact with humans and other animals alike.
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