Upper West Side Residents Call for Action After Dog Attacks
NEW YORK – Tensions are rising on Manhattan’s Upper West Side as local residents demand responses following a series of aggressive incidents involving a pair of pit bulls. Recent reports allege that the same dogs were involved in multiple attacks, raising serious safety concerns within the community.
Details of Recent Incidents
Community members are expressing grave concern after video footage surfaced, purportedly showing the same pit bulls involved in a fatal attack on a small dog earlier this year. This video, obtained by FOX 5, seems to corroborate claims that the dogs have a history of aggression.
The most recent incident took place over the weekend, when the pit bulls allegedly attacked a 10-year-old Chihuahua mix named Penny. One of Penny’s owners, Devon Allen, described the scene, stating, “They picked her up from both sides, like together as a team. It seemed like they were led on to her, and he did nothing to try to stop them.”
Community Response
Residents are calling on city officials and the NYPD to take immediate action, as the same pair of pit bulls and their owner remain at large despite previous incidents. “His animals killed a dog in January and nothing was done,” expressed a concerned resident. “Same dogs. Same owner. And nothing happened.”
The NYPD confirmed that a woman sustained bites during the latest altercation, while a male bystander reported being shoved by the dogs’ owner when he attempted to intervene. The owner allegedly reacted aggressively, physically assaulting a Good Samaritan who was trying to help Penny.
Calls for Accountability
Amid rising community pressure, uncertainty remains regarding any potential charges against the pit bull owner. As inquiries persist, residents are demanding transparency regarding the status of the dogs and their owner. The NYPD has not disclosed whether the dogs are currently being investigated or monitored.
In an effort to hold the owners accountable, Penny’s family has launched a petition on Change.org, urging for more stringent legal measures to protect pets within the community. “It’s offensive to consider that the law treats dogs merely as ‘property.’ To those of us who love our pets, they are family members,” reads the petition. The family emphasizes the broader implications for safety, stating this is not just about their dog but about preventing further tragedies.
