Dog owners in NYC. Have you noticed an uptick in aggressive dogs around you?

[Anonymous]

I have a number of NYCHA houses around me- fine by me- and I understood that there were breed bans- no Rottweilers, Dobermans or Pit (including mixes). But lately I am seeing pit bulls everywhere, and it’s concerning me. For a number of years, the number seemed to dip, but now it’s up significantly.

My dog was attacked by a PB recently- not by my house fwiw- and it could have gotten ugly very quickly.

Anyone else see this?

[Anonymous]

I see an uptick in owners that have no idea how to train or control their dog, but this is not limited to Pitt owners.

[Anonymous]

There is a pit bull owner on the UWS who pretty much sics his dog(s) (I forget if it is one or more than one) on other dogs - he was filmed holding back an owner who was trying to rescue her dog while it was being attacked.

I don't remember the details of the story but I think that it is hard to hold an owner liable for the actions of their dogs, but he has done some things that he could easily be found guilty of. But NYPD seems to not be trying very hard to arrest him.

Back to the point at hand, I am a dog lover. But some dogs were not meant to exist. If I see one of those breeds I stay far away. I'm not saying to destroy all existing dogs of those breeds. I'm saying prevent them from recreating so there are no more.

[Anonymous]

There should be severe consequences for the owners of aggressive dogs who do harm to people and/or animals. If your dog cannot co-exist with others in society, it should not be amongst others. It is the owners responsibility to make sure it doesn't hurt someone. Muzzles are a good start, as is keeping the dog far away from situations that might trigger it.

I do not understand people who support these types of dogs. Once they are born they are living things and should be innocent until proven guilty. But they have a long history of being problematic. People who create ridiculous excuses for the poor, dangerous behavior of their pets are living in fantasy land and are dangerous.

[Anonymous]

What I’ve noticed is an uptick in entitled dog owners that think it’s ok to walk their dog without a leash on the street or run around in non-dog park because the dog is “friendly”. A couple of times I’ve even seen them at playgrounds. Scaring the crap out people and kids. The level of hate I’m starting to develop for these people… 311 is useless and somehow they’re more people that want to act like dogs are babies so it’s ok. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I’ve noticed is an uptick in entitled dog owners that think it’s ok to walk their dog without a leash on the street or run around in non-dog park because the dog is “friendly”. A couple of times I’ve even seen them at playgrounds. Scaring the crap out people and kids. The level of hate I’m starting to develop for these people… 311 is useless and somehow they’re more people that want to act like dogs are babies so it’s ok. Ridiculous.

I’ve never ever seen this in my 20+ years in NYC, at least before pit bulls became so common because of the advocacy of a small group of people.

Years ago, informal dog parks in NYC were common and enjoyed by many. I didn’t have a dog then, but a friend did and there was a hill near the Brooklyn bridge where dogs ran, and it was wonderful for all. You essentially never saw an aggressive breed, and I never saw a fight. Now you have people walking what are essentially loaded guns around and a significant uptick in extremely serious dog attacks, requiring everyone to leash up their dogs and keep their children away to keep them safe.

Breed bans are common in European countries and you’ll see that unleashed dogs in parks are not uncommon. No one should have to worry that a dog can kill their dog or their child if it makes a mistake.

It’s unfortunate.

[Anonymous]

My neighborhood is full of dogs. The only aggressive ones are the tiny little Pomeranians the little white ladies hold in their purses and take everywhere, yet have never properly trained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My neighborhood is full of dogs. The only aggressive ones are the tiny little Pomeranians the little white ladies hold in their purses and take everywhere, yet have never properly trained.

UES?

[Anonymous]

There is an area I just discovered along the water where dog owners congregate every day in the evening and split up informally by size and let their dogs play and run. My dog met 4 dogs yesterday, and matched up with a really sweet GSD roughly her size and they played so well together. For the record, off leash and yes ‘not legal’ most likely. It was magical. My dog was so happy.

I’m worried it’s going to be spoiled by the poster upstream who insists on leashes etc and claims that these dogs are running around knocking children over etc.

[Anonymous]

I've seen people take pitbulls into subway trains, which is scary because it's enclosed space with nowhere to run and none of these dogs is ever muzzled. It's getting out of hand with so many of these dangerous breeds walking around public spaces, around kids, near playgrounds, etc and there is no muzzle law for public places. Elevators are the worst. I am afraid of these dogs, I love dogs in general, but I don't want to be specifically sharing enclosed spaces with dog breeds that have higher probability of killing/maiming people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is an area I just discovered along the water where dog owners congregate every day in the evening and split up informally by size and let their dogs play and run. My dog met 4 dogs yesterday, and matched up with a really sweet GSD roughly her size and they played so well together. For the record, off leash and yes ‘not legal’ most likely. It was magical. My dog was so happy.

I’m worried it’s going to be spoiled by the poster upstream who insists on leashes etc and claims that these dogs are running around knocking children over etc.

there are areas where dogs can be off leashes, people afraid of dogs can avoid them. But come on, let's not kid ourselves, a golden retriever skipping through a meadow isn't the same thing as a bunch of pitbulls playing on a sidewalk or a pedestrian promenade. A lot of people adopt them out of pity because they get killed in shelters at much higher rate than other breeds, but they require experiencd owners, and FFS keep them in designated off leash spaces and put muzzles on them in public places and especially enclosed spaces like elevators and subways. You have a choice as an owner, people who have to use elevators and subways do not! If they are scared they can't run away, not that simple, and they are afraid the wrong move can the set the dog off and their stupid owner may not be able to control them. Use your brain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My neighborhood is full of dogs. The only aggressive ones are the tiny little Pomeranians the little white ladies hold in their purses and take everywhere, yet have never properly trained.

yeah, a Pomeranian isn't going to kill you or rip your face off, no matter how angry and loud it can get. Dogs that can kill should be leashed and muzzled in public places. It's common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I’ve noticed is an uptick in entitled dog owners that think it’s ok to walk their dog without a leash on the street or run around in non-dog park because the dog is “friendly”. A couple of times I’ve even seen them at playgrounds. Scaring the crap out people and kids. The level of hate I’m starting to develop for these people… 311 is useless and somehow they’re more people that want to act like dogs are babies so it’s ok. Ridiculous.

I’ve never ever seen this in my 20+ years in NYC, at least before pit bulls became so common because of the advocacy of a small group of people.

Years ago, informal dog parks in NYC were common and enjoyed by many. I didn’t have a dog then, but a friend did and there was a hill near the Brooklyn bridge where dogs ran, and it was wonderful for all. You essentially never saw an aggressive breed, and I never saw a fight. Now you have people walking what are essentially loaded guns around and a significant uptick in extremely serious dog attacks, requiring everyone to leash up their dogs and keep their children away to keep them safe.

Breed bans are common in European countries and you’ll see that unleashed dogs in parks are not uncommon. No one should have to worry that a dog can kill their dog or their child if it makes a mistake.

It’s unfortunate.

They are banned in many apartment buildings, and you cannot take a dog into a subway that can't fit into a carrier, dogs must be in carriers to travel by subway. This is relatively new law, but is violated often. It's meant to control the size of the dogs that are allowed to share enclosed spaces with people. It's been made fun of by multiple memes of people walking their bigger dogs in a "bag-harness", but it's not funny when you ride a train with a couple of unmuzzled pitbulls and hope you don't make any wrong move, but deep inside you are scared and wish you could run for an exit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is an area I just discovered along the water where dog owners congregate every day in the evening and split up informally by size and let their dogs play and run. My dog met 4 dogs yesterday, and matched up with a really sweet GSD roughly her size and they played so well together. For the record, off leash and yes ‘not legal’ most likely. It was magical. My dog was so happy.

I’m worried it’s going to be spoiled by the poster upstream who insists on leashes etc and claims that these dogs are running around knocking children over etc.

there are areas where dogs can be off leashes, people afraid of dogs can avoid them. But come on, let's not kid ourselves, a golden retriever skipping through a meadow isn't the same thing as a bunch of pitbulls playing on a sidewalk or a pedestrian promenade. A lot of people adopt them out of pity because they get killed in shelters at much higher rate than other breeds, but they require experiencd owners, and FFS keep them in designated off leash spaces and put muzzles on them in public places and especially enclosed spaces like elevators and subways. You have a choice as an owner, people who have to use elevators and subways do not! If they are scared they can't run away, not that simple, and they are afraid the wrong move can the set the dog off and their stupid owner may not be able to control them. Use your brain.

Pp. Huh, I’m not sure why you’re arguing with me. I love these spaces, even though they are technically not legal and yes, people have their dogs off leash. But some people on DCUM get really aggressive about ‘leash laws’ and ‘training’ etc, seemingly arguing against any dog ever being off leash, claiming they (and their dc) have been attacked by Goldens and Pomeranians etc. and ‘any dog’ can be aggressive if not properly trained. I suspect they are pit bull owners or PB apologists who want to justify their ownership of this dangerous breed, arguing we should all have to live on the edge because their dogs can’t be trusted.

And yeah, it’s the rescues but it’s also just other jerks. I just saw a ‘bully’ puppy for sale in the business section of Craigslist for $1800.

[Anonymous]

I was at a large kids sporting event recently and I saw what looked like a young pit bull there. It was leashed and just minding its own business. But I was still apprehensive. Stereotypes aren't made up. Even the best trained pit bull has a higher likelihood of snapping. I don't think anything should be done with living pit bulls that are behaving. But I really don't understand the desire to continue this breed. There are lots of other types of dogs out there. People are going to naturally shy away from pit bulls. Who wants to be that guy?

Leash laws are in place for a reason. There are places to let your dog off leash. Those who don't like dogs should stay away from those places. But in general public, dogs should be kept close on a leash. I almost tripped over a leash that was extended out about six feet on a busy sidewalk the other day. Not cool.