Categories: PETS

Dog attack on NYC’s Upper West Side prompts calls for changes to laws


A dog that was mauled by two bigger dogs on Saturday night on Manhattan's Upper West Side is now out of the hospital and back home.

But outrage remains after it was revealed the dogs in question have attacked before, and the owners have not faced serious criminal charges.

“It's a miracle that she's alive”

Penny the chihuahua mix has extensive bruising, stemming from the vicious attack by two pit bulls on Saturday night at 85th Street and Columbus Avenue, but she went home from the Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in Hell's Kitchen on Monday.

Her pet mom, Lauren Claus, almost didn't think it would happen.

“It's a miracle that she's alive,” Claus said.

The attack on the 16-pound rescue prompted bystanders to jump in and help.

New video shows the man who was walking one of the pit pulls grab one bystander by the hair and drag him during the melee. Then, the couple is seen just walking away from the chaos without penalty.

“We can't get people to investigate. I'll call an organization and then they'll say call this organization, which says call this organization, which leads back to the NYPD, who goes, ‘Sorry,'” Claus said.

State assemblywoman is trying to change NYC's laws

That apparent confusion over law enforcement's role in the incident is why state Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal is pushing a bill to change the definition of pets from “property” to “sentient beings.”

But there are existing laws she believes should already apply.

“The police can absolutely take a report and then send it on to a judge, and so we've called the Manhattan DA's office because it could also be that the owner of the dog is abusing them,” Rosenthal said.

Lauren Block told CBS News New York on the phone Monday night that's exactly what she did in January, when she says those same two pit bulls mauled her two shih tsu mixes, killing 17-year-old Grover, who was blind.

“I went to the precinct near me and I said I want to file a dangerous dog report and he said you have to go back to the other precinct and I said the other precinct said I need to come here,” Block said.

David Rosengard is a lawyer with the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

“I know, nationally, that is an issue that law enforcement often just aren't receiving the resources and information they need to see these laws carried out effectively,” Rosengard said.

Penny has a long road to recovery, as her owner and others continue to fight to change animal cruelty laws and attitudes. 



Source link

Doggone Well Staff

Recent Posts

Police called as ‘aggressive dog attacked pets’ in Bushey

Just before 7am (July 11), the animal was spotted running around without an owner in…

2 hours ago

Ultimate Afghan Hound Puppy Shopping List: Checklist of 24 Must-Have Items

✅ The Complete Afghan Hound Puppy Shopping List Bringing home a new furry friend is…

2 hours ago

Fitzgerald warns of rabies in Labrador after dog tests positive post fox encounter in Hopedale

Newfoundland and Labrador is advising pet owners in Labrador to vaccinate their dogs and cats…

14 hours ago

Pet of the Week: Meet Chubby, who loves everyone and doesn’t live up to his name

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Chubby (a misleading name because he is sleek and slender) is…

16 hours ago

Prime Day Deal: This Carpet Cleaner Can Actually Eliminate Pet Urine Smells, and It’s Up to $180 Off

Amazon Prime Day deal: This powerful home carpet cleaner was the only vacuum that could…

17 hours ago

San Antonio’s ACS helps transport animals to create space for pets affected by Guadalupe River flood

Sign up for TPR Today, Texas Public Radio's newsletter that brings our top stories to your…

18 hours ago