How could you resist that face? Photo by Fred Balboni in Central Park.
Not everyone likes dogs. And yes, there seems to be an inordinate amount of dog poop left on the ground on the Upper West Side. We get that, and it sucks.
But since when did Upper West Siders and landlords get so uptight about canines?
First, we have buildings where the dogs aren’t allowed to touch their feet on the lobby floor. And now the coop at 170 West End Avenue is banning certain breeds that they deem undesirable, and making dog owners who don’t have notes from their vets get DNA tests? The Post reported:
The board has a list of 27 breeds that “are not permitted to reside in the building based upon documented information regarding their tendency towards aggressiveness,” the policy says.
The list of forbidden Fidos includes Malteses, Pomeranians, St. Bernards and German shepherds.
A resident at 170 contacted us today to complain about the “absurd” policy. “Just disgusting.”
Let loose in the comments about this or other pressing matters of the day, friends.
I am a dog walker and love dogs. 90% of the dogs I walk live in homes where they are given insufficient attention and love. Additionally, dogs are exceptionally dirty and the surfaces of dog apartments are a significant degree dirtier. Many people resent their dogs, whether consciously or not, for these and other reasons. There are entirely too many dogs in the city. As far as public guidance, all efforts from those established by landlords and co-ops to the city registering and eventually taking DNA and assigning heavy fines for left poop that will discourage dog ownership and poor behavior are a good thing. None of these will impact responsible owners for whom dog ownership is a PRIORITY and if it is not a priority, don’t get a dog. The city should have dogs that are owned by sweet old ladies, not those walked by me, given insufficient attention and generally resented most of their life.
This is exactly why I refuse to have a dog in the city regardless of how much happier having the companionship would make me. I know the dog’s life would be so limited being stuck indoors for the majority of the day even with hiring a dog walker. Plus on the hottest days of the summer I cannot fathom walking a dog on the pavement, it burns their paws. And then the salt in the winter, there is no winning. When I first moved to this city 6 years ago I was shocked at the number of dogs I saw!
Hey David, I’m actually looking for a new dog walker….remind me not to hire you.
@ST – ditto.
Defensive? Already not there for your dog? Sorry to hear and best wishes..
Hey Mike – biting the hand that feeds you?
David, I think you should probably find a different line of work. The problem with establishing those DNA rules may sound good and yes it could help in some way with who you have decided are “bad owners” but it inpacts us all. Good or bad. You, as a dog walker should know aggression in dogs is not breed specific and if you don’t get educated. The number one reported breed for dog bites in America comes from Golden Retrievers. Check it out.
What are you talking about? He didn’t make a single remark regarding breed-specific aggression in dogs.. he commented on dog poo and dogs receiving an insufficient amount of attention. It just sounds like you were absolutely dying to report that fact. Do you care to share the actual source where you found it from? It might be more helpful if your trying to convince people of something.
Yes, he did. He mentioned DNA, which is part of the article referenced here regarding banning specific breeds from the building.
As for the stats on dog bites, I thought labs were number 1, but that’s neither here nor there. It’s a pretty simple google search, if you’re that interested in debating it.
I like dogs, but clearly cleanup process does not work. While there are limited things that could be done about it on sidewalks ( even people who pick up with plastic bags inevitably leave stuff behind ), there should be zones in our parks, where dogs are not allowed ( there are dog runs – there should be kid runs as well ). Every time child walks off the pavement, he/she is covered in dog poop. Especially Riverside. Defeats the whole point of the park.
There are no dog zones in Riverside (probably in Central Park as well). One of the lawns at 72nd Street and the lawn at 91st Street come to mind off the top of my head.
Zones for dogs. And also possibly zones for loud talkers, romantic couples, any bike people, runners, laying down areas, guitar playing zones, eating zones, zones for the elderly, zones for Republicans and other zones for Democrats or Independents, crying zones, giggling and laughing zones , the list is never ending. That would be such a good thing. There is one problem. You’d have to have a free right of passage zone that allows any group to get to their required zone.
The problem is more with owners than dogs. Co-ops and condos make rules to address issues.
– owners not cleaning up accidents in hallways, lobbies and elevators
– owners allowing dogs to bark for extended periods and uncontrolled in their apartments or building common areas
– owners allowing their dogs to uriniate at the front entrance
– owners throwing bags of dog feces into hallway recycling bins
Separately, your insurance broker or underwriter will tell you that dog bites are the number one cause of injury claim payouts in NYC. White glove insurance companies like Chubb will not even insure you if you own a breed on their ‘problem breed’ list.
It’s not an imaginary issue.
First, David might be happier in another line of work. He makes some good points but seems a little bit angrier than he should be.
As to the new rule at 170 West End it is definitely absurd and factually ignorant. To blanket an entire breed as more aggressive is ridiculous and has no basis in dog behavior. Ask any professional dog trainer. Now, there are some breeds used more often as guard, police, service, or other specialty dog. The breeds chosen are based on historical tendencies by PEOPLE who chose these breeds and then applied intensive and strict training to fashion the kind of behavior wanted. Pit bulls suffer a terrible stereotype as a breed. Many are inhumanely trained to dogfight or attack maliciously. If not genetically modeled to fight in a ring the Bull Terrier can be a gentle loving pet. As will all breeds. The board at 170 has fallen for misinformation and made a very ill-informed decision. Hopefully it will be overturned. In the meantime be on the watch for those vicious Malteses and Pomeranians. And those Chihuahuas!
I love dogs. Its owners I have problems with. They allow their dogs to relive themselves in carpeted hall ways and engage in other inappropriate behaviors. The problem of filthy sidewalks is exacerbated by the fact that no one cleans the sidewalks any more. As a result, the filth builds up.
David’s rant about dogs, dog owners and the cleanliness of their apartments appears to play into the hands of the nutters who run the Board of 170 WEA. In fact, it sounds suspiciously more like a 170 Board member wrote it, than someone who actually cares for dogs. Not one word in this rant is true. Further, 170 WEA has become the butt of jokes throughout the civilized world for its surreal canine-phobic policies. No one excuses poor behavior by man or beast. People who don’t clean up, a very small subset of dog owners, should be fined and shamed publicly. And as far as David goes, if you are really a dog walker, try something else professionally, like cat sitter or mall cop.
I did not beat around the bush, but I stand by what I said. Some additional background: I’m a financially stable actor, I’m a dog walker because I LOVE dogs. I travel a lot and know I can’t give one the love it deserves so I don’t own one. I’m certainly not on the board at 170 haha:) My BIG point which is what I say all the time to anyone thinking about getting a dog is that there is a vicious cycle occurring, resulting in an exploding population of under cared for and appreciated dogs. EVERYONE goes through the emotional moments where you are susceptible to getting a dog. These days people look around and see all sorts of people with more responsibilities than they have with dogs and think, “If they can do it, so can I!” I don’t need a new line of work, I’m the best thing in the lives of most of the dogs I walk. They adore me and are sad when I leave. I’m sad for them. I’m sorry if I upset some people, but if I discourage ownership by irresponsible people, it is worth it. When I said dogs make apartments really dirt, I don’t hate dogs for that, but I do believe from my wealth of experience that owners subconsciously resent their dogs for many such problems without acknowledging it. When a dog owner walks into the clean apartment of someone without a dog and then back into theirs, they feel it whether they admit it or not. As I said, if dog ownership is a true priority for you, as it should be if you are to own one, you will have no challenges finding an appropriate home. If it is not a top priority, you should not have another living, sentient creature dependent on you. All the best, David
I love animals, but dogs are not a city animal. If you want a dog, go live in the suburbs or the country. We have problems with barking dogs and you cannot walk anywhere on the UWS without stepping in dog piss and poo. If you live in the country, where there is a lot of space and less people, let the dog do its business where it wants. But that doesn’t work in a crowded city like NY.
Daniel I agree with you 100%. In addition, owning a dog in the city is selfish on behald of dog owners. The city (and being cooped up in an apartment most of the day) is certainly not in a dog’s best interest. Also, dog poop is obviously a big problem in the city, but sometimes I feel like the city and especially our parks have become one big doggie toilet. How can it be sanitary for dogs to be able to pee all over the place. If people are not allowed to do it, why are dogs?
I think much of it has to do with the fact that it’s probably good public policy to not allow people to pull out their wangs in public. Dog wangs seem to be okay. Monkeys are kind of in a gray area.
The actual pee is presumably not the primary concern.
What ever happened to curb your dog? That is what I was taught growing up with a dog all my life. It’s an embarrassment to those who let their dogs just go anywhere. It’s something you have to teach your dog. Most people don’t .
‘Curb your dog’, which meant that it was OK to allow your dog to poop as long as it was at the curb, has been replaced by ‘pick it up’. Since you are no longer leaving the poop behind, it doesn’t really matter where it poops. That’s the justification for no more ‘curb your dog’.
I do not know for sure, but I thought “Curb your dog” meant to make them both #1 or #2 off the curb and not on the sidewalk at all. For #2s, you pick them up either way. Again, I’m a dog walker and I admit the dogs I walk always go right in the middle of the sidewalk as is now customary. I agree it would be ideal if the curb your dog policy were respected, but the most it seems one can hope for today is that the owner/walker actually picks up the #2.
With everything else that you’ve said here, I’m stunned that you don’t curb the dogs you walk. Now you’re just part of the problem.
I’m not proudly saying I don’t. I don’t purport to be the Messiah. Now that you’re asking, practically, my dogs almost always go once we get to the park as I walk them quickly until then. I do have some elderly dogs who when they start going #1 on the sidewalk, I don’t move them along or to the curb. Never on a tree and of course never on someone’s stoop as a gentleman below mentioned. Again, I’m no example of perfect behavior, my only observation is fewer people should own dogs based on my experience with over a hundred clients.
Curbing your dog is still courteous. First it removes you and the dog from the middle of the sidewalk where everyone must walk around you while the dog does his/her business. Second, dog urine runs across the sidewalk if you let the dog pee against the building rather than at the curb. Third, there is still, shall we say, a residue even if you do pick up, which is gross in the middle of the sidewalk.
Curb your dog?? heavens, then the poop might sully a car’s tires and we know that cars are more valued than shared grass, trees, shrubs, and other growing things that are planted for all to enjoy.
Dog gone it! “Can”ine we all just get along? Check out the mug shots of those adorable offenders of the UWS at: http://www.puparazzinyc.com.
Please don’t make any more puns.
I’d put my money down on insurance companies assessing risk. Sure, they’re conservative since they like nothing less than paying out, but with an estimate of 339 breeds of dogs in the world, and just 14 (4.1%) on their list, why not pick from the 95.9% not on the list? You’re free to choose as you please, but why not choose from the 95.9%?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/200810/biting-dogs-and-dangerous-breeds
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201405/14-dog-breeds-blacklisted-insurance-companies
We live in 170, and we have a dog. And I use my real name and don’t give a damn whether or not the board members or others see my post. Because I stand behind what I say. And I have been a coop board member and board president elsewhere, so I understand the difficulty that board members have. Until this, I have always found 170 to be an exceptionally well-managed building, with an excellent manager and board.
There are some misconceptions floating around. First, the list of ‘banned breeds’ has been here for a long time, it is a separate issue from the recent ‘DNA’ test blowup. I admit the list is rather eye-raising. I’m all in favor of banning pit bulls, Rotts, shepherds, some of the sled dogs, etc. But who cares if a lap dog has ‘aggressive tendencies’? Anyway, this list is not a product of the current board, it has been here for a while (altho some board members have been here a while also).
As you can see by the comments here, there are plenty of people who don’t like dogs or don’t feel they should be here. In a building the size of this one, they are always working behind the scenes (but not in your face) to achieve their goal, which of course is to get the building dog-free (as some LT buildings are). Some of those people may in fact be board members.
Unmentioned in the media is that the board has also enacted a rule recently that forbids dog walkers from bringing outside dogs into the building when picking up a 170 dog. Of course, while perhaps reasonable from some points of view, this increases costs and inconvenience for dog owners, especially for the ‘good’ dog owners who like to see their dog well-exercised and outside more than once or twice a day.
You can feel the noose tightening as the anti-dog contingent works behind the scenes.
Ironically, I didn’t even get the famous May letter that mandated breed ID and/or DNA testing. And my dog is registered with the managing agent as required (now that I am writing this in public, no doubt this oversight will be remedied). If I would have gotten it I would have challenged it. I certainly wouldn’t have followed it. If the board members cannot look at my dog, which is a retired pure breed show dog, a Sheltie, and see that is is really NOT a pit bull, well then, that wouldn’t say much for the board, would it?
So now the board has managed to drive a wedge between dog owners and much of the rest of the building. Congratulations for creating a hostile environment where none existed or had to exist, given the excellent job the board does in other areas.
I’m rather distressed that apparently none of the board members or management will speak with the various media organizations that have tried to contact them. No doubt this is the advice of attorneys (that we dog owners are also paying for). But sometimes if you make a bad decision, you should stand up and explain your reasoning in a rational fashion. They do have a rational reason, I hope. Defending their position perhaps would have prevented my home from being the laughingstock of the internet (just google ‘170 West End Avenue DNA).
I am not a dog owner, but I am tired of having to hop skip and jump around dog piss and poo on the street. Would you like it if children did this all the time. Many residents let their dogs pee right in front of their buildings. This is not cute. Also I had one neighbor whose little “Fifi” used to pee in the hall. Not adorable! We have limits on the types of dogs allowed in our building and thank goodness. I have been in apartment buildings where pit bulls have been allowed and I have had to get off the elevators because they are threatening. Dog owners should stop being so defensive and I agree with David 100%
Dog poop? Y’all think you’re stepping in DOG poop & dog URINE. LT is notorious for the red haired purple drssed peer who…happens to be human…a woman it is believed. No undies, no wipe & then she returns to one of the nice benches to pick up her reading.
As for poop…anyone notice the increase in homeless people over the last several years? Not all of them get into Starbucks when nature calls. Some don’t even make it off of the concrete.
Idea: Mayor B should mandate poop testing on all abandoned deposits. Then the city Cavan waste a whole lotta cash in genetic testing and, once & for all , disgusted upper west siders can know.
The POOP: doggie or human (or alien?)
Coops should have new tenant’s dogs certified by a dog behavioral specialist to make sure they are not dangerous. Certain breeds can be more worse than others but it should be made on a case by case basis.
Let’s have the prospective children and teenagers tested for aggressive and loud tendencies by a child psychologist while we’re at it. Are you kidding? Make all prospective tenants hire a dog behavioral specialist to certify your dog? Get a grip.
‘Big Brother’ is watching ….. It is starting with the dogs. Next will be YOU!!!
Dog urine can kill trees.
Many dog owners don’t seem to care about this.
My dog peed on the same tree for seven years. I think the tree liked it.
I suggest you refer to this internet site (among many, many others) if you think that dog urine is harmless.
https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/complaint-box-dog-urine/?_r=0
No. I don’t think I’m going to read that. For sure, there are crazy people that think that animals and nature don’t mix, but I’m not jumping through that looking glass.
My dog peed on the same trees for years. The trees are fine. Therefore, by fairly straightforward pee logic, my dog’s pee didn’t kill the trees.
Jeremy, your logic is sPEEcious.
NYC is not a natural habitat.
another Science denier
We got uptight about dogs when people began to think it is their right to own animals even when they are completely irresponsible as to their care, completely inconsiderate to their neighbors, and completely oblivious to the fact that everybody else does not think their pet is as precious as they do.
To the guy who said dogs shouldn’t be in the city and should only live in the suburbs, etc. I invite you to take a tour of the suburbs and see the condition of dogs there. A good number are overweight. A dog “walk” in Scarsdale involves opening the door and letting Max relieve himself, then letting him back inside. The parks in the suburbs are notoriously dog-unfriendly. And not every house in Paramus has an acre of lush green lawn for dogs to run around in. You seem to be operating under a number of delusions about what the suburbs are.
I want to agree with you and add.. a lot of suburban dogs are totally undersocialized whereas NYC dogs have a great opportunity and life getting to be around other dogs so often — whether it be on a walk or in the park or especially at the dog runs — something that suburban dogs aren’t afforded. This makes NYC dogs happier dogs.. in my opinion. NYC dogs (when trained appropriately) are the best dogs (and I am a cat person). My friends from out of state or out of country always remark to me about that when they come visit. There are always going to be those idiots who don’t clean up their dogs poop or leave their dogs outside to do their shopping in a store (bugs the crap out of me.. that’s how dogs are stolen).. but for the MOST part.. NYC (or UWS dog people) are responsible. As for 170 West End. a bunch of crack pots.. you don’t ban the dog.. you ban the owner. Punish the owner, not the breed. I volunteer at an animal shelter and we have A LOT of pitties.. and they are mushballs. People have to get over this unnecessary fear of pitties. We also have yorkies and shitzus and chihuauhas and many of those.. have “issues”. Every dog is different. As is every human. Don’t judge the group.. judge the individual. I could never live in a building that didnt’ allow pets (or had that ridiculous restrictive environment). I love knowing there are dogs of all sizes in my building. I love seeing them as they walk in/ out of the building (either with their owner or a midday dog walker)… can you “ban the board and not the dog”?
Thanks, Shari. Great points.
Excellent post! Bravo!
I am a dog owner myself, I truly wish the city would impose drastic fines on any dog owners who refuse to obey common-sense decency. Personally, I’m tired of navigating the minefields of poop and pee-stains on pur sidewalks. Oh, and for you dog owners that are pretending to be texting or talking on the phone while your dog is pooping behind your back and then walk away? I will continue to call you out on that!
I live in a brownstone building with a front stoop, I can’t count how many times someone let’s their dog pee on the front steps. This is F’in disgusting!!! How about I follow you home and piss on your front door – it is exactly the same thing!
Dog owners have a little respect for your neighbors and stop being so damned self righteous about your dogs.
BTW, I love dogs and for that reason will not keep one in NYC – it’s just not fair for any of the breeds larger than a rat.
‘it is exactly the same thing!’ – REALLY?! You’re an idiot. Bet you love Paris with all the dog feces everywhere. Oh, and just a reminder, dogs ARE ALLOWED in restaurants there!! Why not just purge the earth of all animals and see where you are, moron.
I’m an idiot because i don’t want dogs peeing on my door step? Go F yourself UWSider.
Go take your MEDs, jerk, and calm down. See you at YOUR stoop with ALL MY DOGS ……..
Well played, Richard!
Ooooooohkay. Forgot to take your meds this morning? Yeesh. Settle down.
Urine is urine, UWSider. And how do you know he likes Paris??? Why are you so in favor of urine in public places? Who’s the moron?
Dog owners are some of the most selfish people in this city. Why must we be subjected to a puddle of piss or pile of poop in the middle of a sidewalk? My “favorites” are the owners who take the time to put their dogs in a damn raincoat but can’t be bothered to pick up the poop or walk them to the curb to pee. In Riverside park, despite all the dog parks, I still see dogs off a leash, running past the “all dogs must be leashed signs”. I was chased by a dog one day when running, and when I said something a rude owner had the audacity to tell me to “use a treadmill like everyone else.” Seriously? NY-ers live on top of each other and simply cannot be this selfish. If you’re grossed out by your own dog’s crap how do you think your neighbors feel? I love dogs, but owners who behave this way deserve to be fined and publicly embarrassed. I would love to see pictures on this site of the actual people who leave the poop behind. I say we all become poop scoop reporters!
Bravo 170! Now please do something about those pesky children, that cry and drop cookies in the elevator. If you want children, move to the country, the air is better and the children will not become aggressive. And also, those Seniors. I am sick and tired or being inconveninced by a walker or a whellchair. And absolutely no food deliveries at any time. Your leadership is inspiring.
Bill,
Is this your defense of dog owners who leave their pet’s shit on the street, take their pets off leash (where it is posted unlawful) and insult a human that has been frightened by their dogs aggressive behavior?
Maybe you don’t like human children, OK. But to justify dog owners’ shiity (get it?) behaviors because of your attitude is indefensible.
Re: “…and making dog owners who don’t have notes from their vets get DNA tests?”
Ummm…not clear from the above exactly WHO has to get the DNA tests…the owner or the dog?
But the Board at 170 West End ARE a bunch of idjits!
They’re certainly Barking Up the Wrong Tree!
And making things RUFF, RUFF! for dogs and their owners.
Pomeranians? Really? They don’t even bark.
this is the longest thread ever where no one blamed it all on De Blasio. congratulations, UWSers!
I actually think the dog poop problem has gotten worse since de Blasio became mayor! 🙂
I second that!
I think that the commenters who are equating dog ownership with raising children should get a life.
I agree 100%. They are nothing alike. Dogs are wonderful, loving companions. Children just suck the life out of you.
sounds like you may have lover who’s canine.
And I think you should get a sense of humor. Don’t you recognize irony when you read it?
Unfortunately there are lots of people who do believe that their pets are their children except their children are allowed to pee and poop on the sidewalks.
I once had to stand in an elevator with a pomeranian, and I could tell by the way it stood on its hind legs and hopped back and forth that it was dangerous and should be kept out of 170 West End.
I once had to stand in an elevator at 170 with an entitled new UWSer who didn’t understand the beauty of rescue dogs.
I try to walk about 4 or 5 miles a day around the city, including in our neighborhood. I have never encountered a “minefield” of poo, or had to constantly “hop, skip and jump” over dog pee, and have certainly never see children covered in poo every time they step off pavement.
I truly wonder where are all of these Chicken Littles are spending their time.
Try walking down 96th between West End & Broaday, especially the western end of the block. 97th btw Bway & Amst is also nasty. Don’t wear your flip-flops! Damn De Blasio! (That was for you, Bruce!)
In front of Gristede’s? That’s probably rat poop.
This is, of course, the same stretch that has been designated a Conflict Zone. I guess all forms of depravity have be zoned for the block.
Could someone please explain what a “Conflict Zone” is? I googled it and only found some video game and the Middle East.
Nah, there are plenty of others Conflict Zones, but since I live in this particular one, it’s my “doody” to complain about it.
I also suggest W. 81st between Columbus and Amsterdam. My son calls it Poop Alley. I think it is a minefield of poop since it leads to the Central Park and there are no doormen on that block to deter lazy dog owners from leaving behind their dogs’ poop.
Hey, Jeremy, have you seen those small blue bags strewn around garbage bins? Probably not – don’t worry, if you don’t see things – they don’t exist. Everyone else here must be pesky East Siders causing problems. Don’t worry, things are good – keep looking at whatever you are looking ( oh, yeah, try walking on the south side of the 84-th street between Amsterdam and Columbus while looking at the kids playing at the playground – you’ll be fine – don’t worry about a thing ).
If they don’t exist, what’s the problem?
What’s wrong with these people? Dogs, always known as man’s best friend, are indeed that. Lonely and elderly residents have companions. I wonder what brought on this hatred of our wonderful companions…especially don’t understand the Maltese on their list of “unacceptable”. The Maltese is a tiny lovable lap dog. Coop boards get carried away with their perceived power. As for David, if you don’t like dogs, don’t make money walking them. I certainly wouldn’t let you near my dog.
What’s wrong with your reading comprehension Jane? David has said TWICE that he likes dogs very much and doesn’t own one because he can’t be the type of owner he thinks dogs deserve. Honestly a lot of these comments are written by defensive dog owners who have an unable-to-be-concealed sense of entitlement.
Well said. To say nothing of a sense of guilt at being caught out for leaving poor Fido locked in the apartment all day.
The problem with the board at 170 WEA is unfortunately much the same as the rest of Lincoln Towers… There remains a heavy surplus of older busybodies who live there and think they are entitled to special rights because “we were here first”, and they have nothing better to do these days than complain bitterly and create a fuss about basically everything.
People of all ages live in Lincoln Towers. And people of all ages who have dogs as well as people of all ages who do not have dogs.
People who care about our nabe…it’s CRYSTAL CLEAR these dog owners don’t give a sh*t in the good way. Next time you see someone leaving their dog excrement behind, take their picture and embarrass them.
Take their pictures and publish it.
I just now used the elevator in my building. I, once again, greeted by dog piss on the floor.
The doorman had a creative solution when he offered: “Why don’t the dog-owners clean up their dog’s piss in the elevator. Everyon’s got to use it, and I don’t deserve to do this.”
Or give them back their beloved’s shit.
If you think about the number of dogs you see and the amount of poop/pee you see, it’s obvious that there are more responsible dog owners than not. Please don’t paint us all with the same “irresponsible” “entitled” (WTF?) brush.
David’s first post said that none of these initatives will impact responsible dog owners, but that’s not true. If more and more buildings put policies like this into place, those of us who are good dog owners have fewer and fewer options. (Note that I think buildings should, of course, have rules about cleanliness and the city already has good ordinances about nuisance barking.)
I’m glad only a couple of you think that people shouldn’t have large dogs (or any dogs) in the city. Dogs in NYC are much more socialized and have more exercise and activity than the ones in the suburbs who are just hanging around their fenced-in yards.
Lorraine,
If you’d like to be divorced from the bad dog owners (that’s bad owners, not bad dogs) you need to distance yourself from their attitudes.
Maybe start a dog-owners association against bad dog owners (same explanation about the owners and the dogs applies, as did above).
I live in another building in Lincoln Towers. A few years ago we had a vote on whether to ban dogs entirely for new occupants. Generally voter turnout is low in our building but that election had one of the largest turnouts. The vote was a resounding NO to the proposal.
Dogs rule! They are cheaper to maintain than children. That aside, require property owners and commercial locations to sweep and clean their sidewalks daily. Brownstone steps should be scrubbed daily by picturesque charwomen. Thirty-five years ago our streets were littered with cigarette butts and chewing gum. They are now much much cleaner. What we could do is to get rid of all this unsightly street furniture- telephone booths and free newspaper dispensers. And top of the list- prohibit every middle school boy from spitting onto the sidewalk every damn time he wants to.
Works for Singapore . . . .
I like dogs but don’t think any of those rules are unreasonable (although we have a Pomeranian in my building who is the sweetest dog!). There are other people who live in my building who have hostile dogs to the point where no one with another dog can get into the one elevator we have for 12 floors….. Another family of 5 lives “shtetl” style in a smallish apt. with a great dane (poor dog) They cannot even fit into the elevator – all of them plus the dog!!
I’ll never forget going in to see a brand new luxury building’s model apts on 9th Avenue in the 50’s, and in the brand new carpeted hallway was a dog turd! When I pointed it out to the quite embarrassed sales rep, she ran off to have it taken care of.
The fact is that dogs are disgusting by nature in their habits (no fault of their own, that’s who they are), and their owners can’t be trusted to clean up after them. This is not just a NYC problem, I hear about it all over the country from friends who have confronted other dog owners who let their dogs poop wherever.
And if you’ve ever lived next to a apt. with a nonstop barking dog…..
Furthermore you NEVER see a cop giving a ticket to any dogowner/walker who has let their dogs soil the streets. People walk out of my building with their dogs, and before the owner can get them to the curb, the dog has started peeing all over our steps. Disgusting indeed.
Not sure about dogs, but given the tone of the comments it appears there is no shortage of drama queens in our neighborhood.
Yup. West Sider headlined his story very aptly.
Holy moly and I thought bikes and bike lanes were contentious subjects…
lol 🙂
Should a dog-walker not curb their animal after it litters the sidewalk with a BM, simply take the dog-walkers face and rub it in the poo. This is well known to cease the disgusting act.
You know what really ticks me off?!?!?!?! When people bring the dogs into Central Park in areas that are restricted. People like to bring there kids to these areas (never mind picnicking on dog poo) for the reason of no dogs aloud. My daughter is PETRIFIED of dogs. She was attacked/intimidated by such a dog in the park.
Who polices this? I don’t want to be the crotchety neighbor shaking my fist. I want someone else to do it!
You know what really ticks me off?!?!?!?! When people bring their dogs into Central Park in areas that are restricted. People like to bring there kids to these areas (never mind picnicking on dog poo) for the reason of no dogs aloud. My daughter is PETRIFIED of dogs. She was attacked/intimidated by such a dog in the park.
Who polices this? I don’t want to be the crotchety neighbor shaking my fist. I want someone else to do it!
I am so tired of people who profess to “love dogs” and obviously don’t. Please. It’s your right to think dogs peeing and defecating in public are gross and disgusting. But I’m sorry, you cannot feel that way and say you love dogs. Clearly, you don’t. If you don’t happen to love “man’s best friend,” just say so.
I cannot believe some of the comments I am hearing here… That city dog owners are selfish and negligable??? Have any of you been to a shelter where thousands of dogs are euthanized daily??? MANY dogs, including my own, in New York are rescues and now have amazing lives. The city is a wonderful place to own a dog, especially the uws. They are socialized, there are dog-walking and pet-sitting and daycare facilities for dogs, they have Central Park down the block!! I love how people say the apartments are too small and NY is too dirty and busy for a dog. Um, HELLO, we live here, I live in that tiny apartment and I don’t feel neglected. I had my last dog when I lived in the burbs and let me tell you… he was a lot more bored than this guy. On another note, I see way more messes left by kids, a lot more noise made by kids, and while I like kids, they are certainly not facing nearly as much scrutiny as us with fur-babies. Lastly, I can get on a whole separate rant about breed, so all I am going to say about that is that anyone ANYONE that thinks Pibulls are notoriously viscous dogs, has never spent any time with one.
PS – when they start making toilet bowls for dogs let me know. Until then…..
To all those who think apartment living is too small for dogs, that they should all live in the suburbs; guess what? They’ll never get there. Apparently you all would love them all to get euthanized, when they aren’t allowed in the city anymore. Shame on your own inconsideration of the most loving animals man has had the opportunity of being loved by. One more thing. About their peeing in the streets; they DON’T USE TOILETS LIKE WE HUMANS DO! They have to go in the streets. Human were not placed on this planet as the only species. Get off your high self involved horses, because all species on this earth get to share our planet, it doesn’t just belong to you SUB human beings.
The STREETS, not the SIDEWALK. The STREETS, not the SIDEWALK.
Don’t you get it????
Once the bike lanes are complete maybe the dogs can use that lane to defecate this will keep side walks clean and slow the bikes down at the same time!
absurd. what is the latest?