NYC lawmakers push for new legislation after pit bulls maul service dog on Upper West Side

A brutal dog attack on the Upper West Side has sparked calls for new legislation from some New York City lawmakers, who said current laws fail to protect pets and hold negligent dog owners accountable.

Penny, a 10-year-old chihuahua mix and service dog, returned home from the hospital Monday evening after being mauled by two larger dogs while out for a walk Saturday night. Penny’s owner Lauren Claus said the pit bulls’ handlers did nothing to stop the attack before fleeing the scene.

“I saw the video of the attack for the first time and I haven't watched it since,” she said in an interview. “I can't watch it because my dog is essentially being manhandled, and two very irresponsible owners are not doing anything to stop it.”

Claus said Penny was with her ex-boyfriend at the time of the attack, as the two share custody of the small pup.

Video shared with FOX 5 New York shows Penny walking on a leash with one of her owners when a pit bull suddenly lunges. A second one joins moments later, and both bite down on Penny as people on the sidewalk try to pull them off.

Claus said Penny suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

The NYPD said a 64-year-old man who witnessed the attack attempted to help but was shoved by an unidentified individual who also threw the man’s cellphone and fled in a vehicle. The man was not injured and his phone was undamaged, police said. They added that a report of harassment was filed with the 20th Precinct.

Claus said she wants the dogs that attacked Penny removed from the streets and their owners prosecuted. She is petitioning Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to pursue criminal charges — even though, under current law, dogs are considered property and such cases rarely result in prosecution.

“I am hoping that any legislation that gets put forward is unanimously supported by both parties and that people want to amend the law so that people like me, dog owners like me, have recourse against animals that are dangerous,” said Claus.

City Councilmember Gale Brewer, who represents the Upper West Side, said she is exploring legislative remedies after NYPD officers told her they could not act in the case because of how the law defines animals.

“This was an assault. We need and deserve to feel safe in our community,” Brewer said in a statement Monday. “We cannot let anyone terrorize neighborhoods, including dogs.”

State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, who represents parts of Queens and is running for public advocate, announced she is drafting a bill in response to the attack.

“That this is not a crime is a wakeup call to update our laws ASAP,” she wrote on X.

In a statement, Adams said the NYPD and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are “looking into the matter.”

“We’re horrified to hear about the attack on Penny the chihuahua over the weekend,” he said. “We encourage any witnesses or victims to come forward with any additional information.”

City health officials said anyone who is bitten by a dog should seek medical attention and report the incident to the health department, which investigates severe bites and dogs with prior histories of problematic behavior. In certain cases, the agency may take enforcement action against the owner or place restrictions on the animal. Immediate threats should be reported to 911, officials said.

Bragg’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.