NYC Dog Owner Upset Over Unenforced Health Order After Pet Mauling

Penny's Attack and Owner's Frustration

• 💔 Penny, a Chihuahua mix, is still recovering from a vicious attack by two larger dogs on the Upper West Side nearly a month ago.
• 😔 Her owner, Lauren Claus, describes the process as extremely frustrating, feeling the city doesn't care about dog welfare.

Preventable Attack and Health Department Order

• ⚠️ The attack on Penny might have been preventable, as the city's health department had previously ordered the owner of the aggressive dogs to muzzle them and keep them on tight leashes.
• 🗓️ This order was issued on March 5th, after the same dogs were involved in a fatal attack in Central Park in January.
• 🚫 The aggressive dogs were not in compliance with the order on the day Penny was attacked in early May.

Official Response and Lack of Information

• 😠 City Councilwoman Gale Brewer was livid upon learning about the Department of Health's order, stating that no one shared this crucial information.
• 🚓 Brewer emphasized the need for the police department and health department to work together to enforce muzzle and leash laws.
• ⚖️ The health department claims they followed up twice in March, issuing two $1,000 fines for failure to muzzle, and states the investigation is ongoing.

Advocacy for Accountability

• 💼 Claus has made working on Penny's case a second job, hoping a bill in Albany called Penny's Law will pass to hold dog owners accountable.
• ✍️ She has also started a petition urging city leaders to pay attention and prosecute crimes involving dog owner negligence.