Pit Bulls and Other Breeds Banned From Public Housing in NYC

Pits in the news and info on Breed Specific Legislation.

Postby Marinepits » April 29th, 2009, 5:12 pm

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/200 ... _hous.html

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According to 1010WINS radio, "banned breed" dogs that are already in public housing will be grandfathered-in as long as they are registered with the housing authority before Friday.

Pit bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers banned from public housing
BY Oren Yaniv and Lisa L. Colangelo
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Wednesday, April 29th 2009, 4:00 AM


Pit bulls are now Public Enemy No.1 at city housing projects.

Starting Friday, the powerful popular breed that's sometimes trained to be violent is banned from all apartments run by the city Housing Authority.

"Finally someone is realizing that these potentially dangerous animals have no place in a confined urban space," said City Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Queens), who has unsuccessfully lobbied state legislators to ban the dogs.

The Housing Authority regulations also bar residents from owning any dog over 25 pounds. The current policy allows dogs that weigh up to 40 pounds. In addition, owning Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers also is banned under the new rules.

Housing Authority residents who already have the breeds will be able to keep them as long as they register by Friday.

City housing officials said residents urged them to ban the dogs that they claim are too vicious and threatening.

But dog lovers who have pit bulls and the other targeted pooches are upset.

"He's my baby," Jose Hernandez, 32, who lives in the Lillian Wald Houses on the lower East Side, said of his 6-year-old pit bull, Chopper. "These are not bad dogs."

"It all depends on how you teach a dog," said Anthony Nieves, 37, as he walked his 1-year-old pit bull, Storm, near his home at the Wald Houses.

"My dog is like a puppy," Nieves said.

The ASPCA and other groups opposed to the ban have been working with the city housing agency to ease some of the restrictions.

"We are opposed to breed-specific bans," said Michelle Villagomez, ASPCA senior manager of advocacy and campaigns.

"And we find the weight restriction is too oppressive. So many breeds are over 25 pounds. You can get an overweight beagle that weighs more than 25 pounds."

lcolangelo@nydailynews.com


Full list of banned breeds and the new pet policy is available here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads/pdf/j09apre.pdf

http://www.aspca.org/pressroom/press-re ... 42809.html
New NYCHA Regulation Threatens Dogs Belonging to Residents of Public Housing


ASPCA Urges Residents of NYC Housing Authority to Take Action & Register Pets

April 28, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact

NEW YORK— The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) urges residents of public housing under the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to register their dogs prior to the May 1, 2009 implementation date of the revised NYCHA pet policy, which restricts dog ownership based on breed and weight.

The revised NYCHA pet policy reduces the permissible weight for full grown dogs from 40 pounds to 25 pounds, and prohibits Pit bull, Rottweiler and Doberman breeds either purebred or mixed breed. In addition, residents must obtain a veterinarian certification verifying that their dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies, not one of the prohibited breeds, and licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Dogs already registered with NYCHA before the implementation of this revised policy, regardless of breed and providing they do not exceed the current 40 pound weight limit, will be grandfathered and allowed to remain in NYCHA housing. If residents submit a registration form for their pet by April 30th, they will be allowed 90 days to obtain the veterinarian certification.

“The ASPCA is opposed to this policy and is working to prevent it from going into effect,” said Laura Maloney, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Anti-Cruelty. “We oppose laws that discriminate against particular breeds or impose excessive weight restrictions. This regulation unfairly discriminates against responsible dog guardians on both counts.”

Information on Pet Registration and Fee

Existing Residents must submit the registration form to the NYCHA Housing Office by April 30th in order to have their dogs grandfathered and allowed to remain in NYCHA housing. After the registration form is submitted, residents are given a 90 day grace period to submit a veterinarian certification. The revised pet policy goes into effect Friday, May 1st.

New Residents must submit the registration form to the NYCHA Housing Office during the rental interview for any dog, cat or service animal they wish to bring into the NYCHA apartment. Staff must explain the pet policy to prospective residents at the time of the rental interview.

Pet registration fee is $25 for all residents who do not reside at project based Section 8 developments. Owners of service animals and animals that live in buildings designated exclusively for senior citizens are exempt from this fee.

For the purpose of filling out the registration form, you can immediately obtain a dog license number by purchasing the license online.

“The ASPCA is working with the Mayor's Alliance for New York City’s Animals to negotiate with NYCHA, but the issue has not yet been resolved,” said Michelle Villagomez, ASPCA Senior Manager of Advocacy and Campaigns. “We want to assure NYCHA residents who own animals that this is a priority for us and we strongly urge residents of New York City public housing to register their dogs as soon as possible before the revised policy goes into effect.”

To obtain a registration form, residents can visit their NYCHA management office between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or call (212) 306-3000. The form is also available online: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads ... ration.pdf

**Registration forms will be available at the ASPCA Adoption Center and Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital located at 424 East 92nd Street**

To obtain a dog/cat veterinarian certificate: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads ... etcert.pdf

To obtain a NYC Dog License: https://a816-health21ssl.nyc.gov/DogLicense/Login.do
Never make someone a priority in your life when that someone treats you like an option.
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