cindy nichols, unfortunately i agree with you completely. the kind of ignorance we are referring to here is ignorance about proper dog training and managment, and i think it should be unanimous that this problem is pretty universal.

i have to say that things have improved in my community in the past year. there was a tragic incident that made front page headlines. an at-large pitbull tore into a golden retriever (also off-leash) who was playing fetch with its owner on a public playground. a bystander tried to intervene and had her arm shredded and wound up in the hospital. it made front page headlines here.

what was heartening were the letters to the editor. people pointed out that both dogs were illegally off leash. people pointed out that we do not have a pitbull problem here, but a scofflaw problem. people pointed out that the city doesn't enforce the laws. people pointed out that the fines weren't high enough.

lots of knowledgeable dog people wrote letters to the editor and it was a huge relief to see that these people (i wrote in, also), were making an effort to educate others.

as a result, the city council took on the controversy, and fines were raised from $25 to $500!!

now i see far fewer dogs off leash, and those that are, their owners are carrying a leash and 90 percent of the time will put the leash on when you ask them to. people's consciousness got raised! it is much more pleasant to walk your dog around here now.

i've been talking with the parks and rec department about starting a free class for dog owners on responsible dog ownership on public lands. they say to me, "the dog people are the ones who have to educate dog owners. we can't do it."

who are the dog people? we are!

so get involved educating dog owners in your community and then see what happens.

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.........what was heartening were the letters to the editor. people pointed out that both dogs were illegally off leash. people pointed out that we do not have a pitbull problem here, but a scofflaw problem. people pointed out that the city doesn't enforce the laws. people pointed out that the fines weren't high enough. ..... as a result, the city council took on the controversy, and fines were raised from $25 to $500!! ...... ...... who are the dog people? we are! ..... so get involved educating dog owners in your community and then see what happens.

GREAT POST!

Will Rambeau pointed out last summer what we can do as individuals if we take action. It was a thread about BSL, but it applies 100%:
http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post4148481

This is, unfortunately, not the first time I've heard about this type of experience in NYC. It happened to a woman in Queens last week. There's a weblog in New York City that has been documenting this lack of enforcement or concern by city officials. Check out:

http://brooklynparks.blogspot.com

Photos and letters to the appropriate precinct, the police commissioner and your community board should be helpful.

I'm sorry to read about your experience. While my wife and I do not presently have a dog, I'm from a very large family (8 kids). We've had lots of dogs. Most of my siblings still have dogs that are well behaved and handled responsibly. It makes me crazy how irresponsible & selfish some dog owners are with respect to both their pets and their neighbors.

rob, by following some links from the link you provided, i found this page, which may help the original poster here get some help for her situation:
urban hound dog laws and resources

Unfortunately, their online form seems to only apply to animals biting humans. I've searched the Dept. of Health website and the only reference that seems relevant is the "Nuisance Animal" page. They recommend calling 311 and asking for "Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Central Complaints". Good luck.

I posted a question on a Police Officer/Law Enforcement forum. So far it appears that:

1 - It is a civil matter unless the dog bit you.
2 - A police officer can only issue a summons if he witnessed the incident.

The bottom line is that many (maybe all) municipalities regard pets as property. If your mother witnessed the attack and you can find out who owns the dogs you can sue the owners in civil court.

Get a lawyer that works on contingency and sue such dog owners big enough to make the news. Maybe some of those owners can read?