I can't believe there are no laws on LI requiring dogs to be leashed and licensed. Certainly they are enforced in NYC. I find it hard to believe that if you present pictures to the town showing violations of a court order on this neighbor's dog, that they will choose to ignor it. I can certainly understand, however, why you are tired of policing your neighborhood when the others are so passive.

Obviously the owners are jerks. But the fact is that your picture of the dog on the street already changed their behavior, so they must be afraid of the law. Therefore, if you can persuade the neighbor across the street to let you take a pic of the unmuzzled dog in the yard, drop off a copy to the owner with a polite note, maybe they will also muzzle the dog in the yard. It is worth trying one more time.

Well, I read the article and it was sickening (the government response). I wrote to the author, and offered to help pressure the legislature to pass a bill that would allow removal of dogs that attack other dogs, and penalties for the owners.

"That’s when I ran back to my apartment and did something most people can’t do. I called press offices, saying, “Hi, I’m a reporter writing an article about a pack of dangerous dogs that’s been roaming the streets attacking people and dogs for years. Numerous people have filed complaints with your organization, and I’d like to find out why nothing has been done.”

So instead I called Channel 2, the local CBS affiliate. That night, the evening news showed pictures of Bonny after the attack and me lamenting the city’s inaction. It showed the rickety latch on the junkyard and Harry saying the reason his dogs attacked Bonny was because “somebody opened the gate.” Most important, it showed Harry, standing in front of his lot, smirking and saying this: “If somebody opens the gate by mistake, they might attack somebody else.”

The Times recently ran an article about a group of neighbors on the East Side who’ve seen their dogs get attacked and beheaded by two Rottweilers, but the city gives them the same we-don’t-do-dog-on-dog line they give me. Maybe I’ll call them next, to see about challenging the city together.

(Last week, City Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz introduced a bill that would close the dog-on-dog loophole, but it remains to be seen if it will be voted into law.)"

she did all the right things. i'm a reporter. i worked at the new york times when i lived in new york. i was able to make things happen by identifying myself as a reporter many, many times.

this story is just about totally unbelievable. about the only thing i could think of that she could do further is trail this guy's dogs and make a documentary film and present it before the city council.

actually, now that i think of it, the only way to get the city to listen is to sue them for negligence. there are leash laws. there are other laws that are being violated. the city is choosing to ignore them, to not enforce them. she could bring together all the people who have been victimized by these dogs, document the city's refusal to help, and sue the city for damages.

i'm not a lawyer, so i have to say i don't know what kind of a case she would have. but it sure sounds like it would take nothing short of suing and winning a huge compensation to make the city wake up and take responsibility.

otoh, maybe the new law has been passed by now. anybody know?

personally, i never experienced the degree of intransigence this woman has from the city or the state of new york.

The story is horrific <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> The documentary idea would have been a good one to try. As for sueing the city- you would need a tremendous amount of money to do that and the outcome would be iffy. I don't think the law was changed, but I'm not positive. The laws are good, the enforcement of them is not... Here's an updated writing on it, but it's not dated. Polly, there are some contacts at the end of this article if you're interested in writing them.

http://www.nasw.org/users/skloot/page3.html

Enforcment of leash laws seems to be a widespread problem all over the country <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Alice, I'm glad you're experience in NY was a good one <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm not sure how that was since you were in Hell's Kitchen. You're a really good sport. I'm flexible, I've adapted to LI style slum living, but I'd draw the line at Hell's Kitchen <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

From this second article, it is apparant that the city did respond responsibly to complaints by citizens. Six of the eight dogs were removed, and the owner moved to public housing, where there are additional laws regarding dogs. It should be hard for him to accumulate another pack there. I completely agree that additional laws are needed, and a clear path to the responsible government office. My husband, a lawyer, believes that in order for an attack such as this to be a crime, a state law would have to be passed, the City may not be able to legislate, except for civil penalties.

I have a neighbor who is very actiuve in the Dem party, and ran Jerry Nadler's campaign, I will ask her how he feels about dogs.

To defend my city, which is a very cool place to live, Hell's Kitchen has great restaurants, and is very near the Theatre District, so what if it's a little grungy?

What types of new laws would help people with a loose dog problem? The only things I could come up with that could have helped me with the stray and vicious dog issues in my neigborhood would have been being able to make a report that had bearing, upon witnessing the incidents. The only problem with that is anybody who hates dogs could make up phony reports even if a dog was innocent. If you're referring to changing laws regarding dog on dog attacks, I don't really know how the enforcement is on LI because I never bothered to report any incidents. If I had a small dog I probably would have.

No offense meant on my comment about Hells Kitchen. I love the city <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Some of my most exciting memories as a child visiting were stepping over the bums passed out on 5th avenue. They've since cleaned up that issue <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Seriously though, I love visiting the city it's definitely a cool place. If I could have convinced my husband to live there, we'd probably be there. Maybe not Hells Kitchen though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Growing up on Long Island I grew accustomed to the safety, till I moved where I am now anyway, lol.

I was born and raised in Brooklyn. My wife used to say that she would love to live in New York for a couple of years. I told her "Great!, Look me up when you get back!"

As far as the loose dogs my suggestion is do not leave your house with out pepper spray and a big stick.
Good Luck
Terry

Barbara,

I think the loophole refered to in the article is the lack of legislation on dog-on-dog attacks, where the only real remedy seems to be individual litigation to recover vet costs, and dogs have little legal value. There have been some changes in laws to allow for pain and suffering as a result of "loss of campanionship" for a pet, but I don't remember the details. In my neighborhood, one guy has allowed his Afgan hound off-lead even after it has bitten at least two dogs in the park. He paid vet bills, but we need legislation to make it a more serious offense, in order to make an impression on people who are irresponsible owners. I will make inquiries from lawyer friends. My husband thinks we need a law codifying this as criminal negligance, but this is not meant as a legal opinion, it is outside his expertice.

 Quote:

I was born and raised in Brooklyn. My wife used to say that she would love to live in New York for a couple of years. I told her "Great!, Look me up when you get back!"

LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Now I can't seem to move out of NY. I tried to move to Houston but I couldn't get back to LI fast enough <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I think it may have been the school bus size bugs <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> lol

Polly, those are ideas to consider. I think they have enough laws on the books that could be enforced better, and those would cover the animal on animal attacks.

Beverly, here's some articles to help with the loose dog problem if you haven't already read them:

Dealing with dominant and aggressive dogs
http://www.leerburg.com/301.htm

How to break up a dogfight
http://www.leerburg.com/dogfight.htm
http://www.leerburg.com/qadogfight.htm
http://www.leerburg.com/dogattack.htm

Late Christmas present for the neighbor with the pitbulls
http://www.leerburg.com/954.htm