'Penny's Law': NYC Dog Attack Prompts Legislation for Owner Accountability

The Attack on Penny

• 💔 A 16-pound Chihuahua named Penny was severely injured after being attacked by two pit bulls in New York City.
• 💥 The attack, caught on camera, involved multiple bystanders intervening to stop the pit bulls, with one person using a cane.
• 🏥 Penny survived with multiple puncture wounds and two six-inch gashes, but miraculously sustained no internal injuries or broken bones.

Legal Ramifications and Current Laws

• ⚖️ Police were unable to intervene directly because, under New York law, dogs are considered property, making the incident a civil matter.
• 💡 A recent ruling by New York's Court of Appeals recognized dog owner negligence, allowing for civil cases if an owner is negligent in handling a dog that attacks a person.
• ⚠️ The attorney notes that dogs with a history of aggression, like the pit bulls in this case, often fall under definitions of potentially dangerous dogs.

Proposed 'Penny's Law'

• 📜 State lawmakers are proposing "Penny's Law" to address such incidents.
• criminalize negligent dog handling in cases of attacks.
• 🏃 Owners who flee the scene of an attack would face penalties, creating a concept of "bite and run."

Breed-Specific Statistics and Concerns

• 📈 Pit bulls are reportedly involved in approximately 90% of fatalities and attacks on other pets, a statistic attributed to their breed's historical development for fighting.
• ⚠️ The attorney emphasizes that dogs aggressive towards pets pose a high risk of biting people, either directly or through redirected attacks.
• 🗣️ The District Attorney's office in New York has ordered a review of this specific dog mauling case, indicating increased attention to the issue.