A dog attack on the Upper West Side has sparked a debate over New York City's animal laws, after a service dog named Penny was mauled by two pit bulls. According to Gothamist, Penny, a 10-year-old chihuahua mix, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition following the incident which occurred last Saturday. Her owner, Lauren Claus, recounted the ordeal, stating that after watching a video of the attack, she couldn't bring herself to view it again due to the violence her dog endured at the hands of larger, uncontrolled animals.
Outrage has been heightened by the fact that the two pit bulls were previously involved in another attack, which did not result in significant consequences for their owners, as reported by CBS News New York. Additionally, the complicated process victims like Claus and Lauren Block, who experienced a similar incident with her shih tzus, had to navigate in reporting the attacks has added to the frustration. As it stands, pets are still considered property under current law, and Claus is petitioning city officials for reforms to ensure greater accountability for such incidents.
Legislative efforts are coming from various representatives, including City Councilmember Gale Brewer, who decried the attack as an assault on community safety, as well as State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, looking to draft a bill in hindsight of the violent act. According to a statement obtained by Gothamist, Mayor Eric Adams and other city officials have voiced shock at the news and called for witnesses to come forward, suggesting a more proactive approach in the future.
State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal is also getting involved, advocating for a change in the legal status of pets, suggesting they be recognized as "sentient beings" rather than property. In an interview with CBS News New York, she stated, "The police can absolutely take a report and then send it on to a judge," highlighting that some existing laws could be applied in this situation. David Rosengard, an attorney with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, pointed out that law enforcement often struggles to take action due to limited resources and information, a problem that extends nationwide.
