Following two vicious dog attacks that have occurred in the city of New York this year, a senator in the state of New York has proposed new legislation.
Several distinct incidences have been reported in which two large, violent canines are suspected of assaulting two smaller dogs. The other was severely injured, and the first one passed away.
A pair of vicious canines are suspected of killing a little dog and attacking another dog.
While walking down a street in the Upper West Side earlier this month, Lauren Claus said that her dog, Penny, who is ten years old, was assaulted by the vicious dogs without any provocation.
“The owners did not have full control over their dogs,” Claus stated. “After they mauled my dog, they just were able to walk away. The only people that were even trying to hold them accountable were bystanders.”
The chihuahua mix, which weighs twenty pounds, is still wearing bandages and stitches for the puncture wounds and lacerations she sustained, and her owners claim that they are responsible for about eleven thousand dollars in veterinary expenses as a result of the attack.
In January, another dog owner reported that the same two dogs were responsible for the murder of her Shih Tzu mix, Grover, who was 17 years old. Grover was killed in Central Park.
According to the leaders of the community, the police have been in contact with the owner of the two huge dogs; however, the police have not been able to take any more action because, according to the law of New York, pets are considered property.
“Penny’s Law” enforces pet owners’ responsibility
State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar stated, “Pets are not property, they are family.”
If her bill, “Penny’s Law,” is approved, careless dog owners will be held criminally responsible for their animals’ behavior, particularly when attacks occur. Additionally, it would make violators of leash laws subject to harsher fines.
“This is long overdue. There were over 3,000 complaints to 311 about off-leash dogs,” Rajkumar stated.
On Friday, a bill-supporting gathering was staged close to City Hall.
“We need action now, so we are going to keep the pressure on the DA,” stated Gregory Kirsopp, chief of staff for the New York State Assembly.
Read Also: Upper West Side dog attack leaves little dog severely injured, owner demands justice
The goal of local authorities is to enact the bill this year.
According to Penny’s proprietors, they are collaborating with attorneys in the hopes of obtaining legal assistance in civil court.
