A vicious attack on a small Chihuahua named Penny by two pit bulls in Manhattan has sparked calls for New York to take stronger action against negligent dog owners and consider banning dangerous breeds.
Penny, a 16-pound Chihuahua, was mauled on Saturday evening at the corner of 85th Street and Columbus Avenue. The attack was unprovoked, and Penny only escaped after her owner, using a cane, pried one of the pit bulls’ jaws open. Penny is now recovering at her owner’s apartment, but the scars of the attack are profound.
What makes this incident even more alarming is the revelation that the same two pit bulls attacked two Shih Tzu mixes earlier in the year, killing one of them. Yet, despite the severe nature of these attacks, the owners of the dogs faced no legal consequences, as New York law does not hold dog owners accountable for their pets’ actions in many cases.
Additionally, during the recent attack, the pit bull owners allegedly dragged a bystander who tried to help by the hair, and even destroyed the phone of another individual who had started recording the incident. Once the attack concluded, the owners fled the scene, leaving the victims in distress.
In response to this, City Councilwoman Gale Brewster and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar are working on legislation that would hold negligent owners criminally responsible when their dogs attack. Rajkumar’s bill would also make it a crime for owners to flee the scene of an attack, something that currently lacks legal repercussions.
While these are steps in the right direction, some believe New York City should go even further. Banning dangerous breeds like pit bulls, which are known for their strength and aggression, could prevent future tragedies. The New York City Housing Authority already bans certain breeds, including pit bulls, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers from its properties due to their tendency to cause serious harm.
In the UK, authorities took action in 2023, banning the breeding, selling, or giving away of American Bully XL dogs, which were responsible for a significant portion of fatal dog attacks. It’s clear that certain breeds, while beloved by some owners, are more prone to violent outbursts and pose a greater risk to the public.
While the breed is a factor, irresponsible training is another issue that exacerbates the danger. Illegal dog fighting and training pets to be aggressive are crimes in New York, yet there seems to be insufficient enforcement of laws around underground dog-fighting rings.
Ultimately, the issue lies not with the dogs themselves but with the people who own and train them irresponsibly. It’s time for New York to take a more aggressive stance, holding both owners and dangerous breeds accountable to protect the public from unnecessary harm.