A heartbroken owner is questioning why dangerous dogs are still on the streets after her small dog was brutally killed by two pit bulls. Monica Reyes recounted the horrific incident where her 8-year-old Lhasa apso, Juju, was attacked just steps away from her home in the Throggs Neck Houses. She described how one of the pit bulls grabbed Juju and wouldn’t let go, leaving her and her daughter traumatized.
Fortunately, a passing NYCHA worker intervened by tasing the main attacker dog, causing it to release Juju’s lifeless body. The owners of the pit bulls fled the scene, with the man apologizing and urging Reyes to call 911.
Despite efforts to save Juju, he had to be put down, leaving Reyes with only a piece of his tail as a memento. Reyes expressed her concern for the safety of others, questioning why these dangerous dogs are still allowed on the streets.
Reyes filed a police report, but under current New York law, dog attacks are considered property crimes since dogs are classified as property. This loophole in the law has left many pet owners feeling helpless in such situations.
This tragic incident comes shortly after another brutal attack where two pit bulls savagely mauled a Chihuahua on the Upper West Side. The owner of the Chihuahua, Penny, has called for stricter laws to hold owners of aggressive dogs accountable for their actions.
Footage of the attack shows Penny being attacked while the pit bulls’ owner stands by without intervening. This incident has sparked renewed calls for legislative changes to prevent such attacks in the future.
In response to these incidents, New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar has introduced “Penny’s Law,” which aims to criminalize negligent dog handling in cases of attacks and hold owners accountable for leaving the scene, similar to hit-and-run cases. The law also targets owners who unlawfully allow their dogs off-leash.
“Penny’s Law” seeks to address the issue of repeat offenders who escape consequences for their pets’ aggressive behavior. Rajkumar emphasized the need for stricter regulations to protect both animals and pet owners from such traumatic incidents.
