Breed Specific Bans Hit NYC

The New York City Housing Authority has banned certain breeds from its apartments beginning this Friday. The breeds include Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers as well as any dog over 25 lbs.

I did not know this was coming down the pike and I am a bit taken aback. I really thought that we in NYC were above such actions. I've been corrected.

I suppose the NYCHA is well within their rights to limit pets in their buildings. After all, they have all the same powers as any other landlord. However, I believe the way this ban is structured sets a very bad precedent. Now, when any other city agency suggests such a ban they will have this "success" to reference. What happens when Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz decides that Brooklyn should be a Pit-free borough?

And it's not just Pit bulls. Here's the full list of breeds banned by the NYCHA:

Pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman , Chow, Boxer, Akita, German Shepherd Akita Inu, Alangu Mastiff, Alano Español, Alaskan Husky, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine Dogo, Bedlington Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bull and Terrier, Bull Terrier, Bully Kutta, Cane Corso, Dalmation, Dogue de Bordeaux, Dogo Sardesco, English Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, Golden Retreiver, Gull Dong, Gull Terr, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Korea Jindo Dog, Lottatore Brindisino, Neapolitan Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario (CanaryDog), Perro de Presa Mallorquin (Ca de Bou), Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu.

For more information, check out the ASPCA's press release.

I would love to hear from people who are doing something about Breed Specific Bans. How are you fighting and what can we do to help? As for me, I'm doing my best to continue training all breeds (and mixed breeds) to be polite, gentle citizens.

UPDATE: Need Help...

I have some wonderful news. My friend looking for the perfect rescue dog has found their new puppy!

You can see her Petfinder profile here.

She will be arriving from her foster down south this weekend and they are considering naming her Sydney. I am so happy for them!

Thanks to all of you that send me some great suggestions.

Need Help From All Dog People/Rescuers

I've offered to help some friends of mine find "the perfect" rescue dog. It's a tall order, but I'm hoping to use this forum for some leads.

They want a very young puppy. Sex is not important, neither is breed (or mix) though really like beagles, both for size and temperament. They do not want anything too small, and their landlord has forbidden anything too big. He's also forbidden any breed with a bad reputation, so unfortunately terriers, pit bulls, rottweilers, and labs were specifically mentioned as being out of the question. It's important to note that they have 2 cats and plan on starting a family in the next few years.

Sooooo, if any of you know of a puppy that might fit the bill, or have advice on finding such a puppy please let me know!!!

Doggie Fashion Show at FIT

Did you know that FIT has a certificate program in Pet Product Design and Marketing? Neither did I, but the 20 designers enrolled will have their work displayed in FIT's first pet apparel fashion show "Bark Is The New Black."

For more information about the event, go to Canines Parade in Couture at FIT’s First Pet Apparel Show.

Eleven dogs will model one-of-a-kind outfits on the catwalk on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 to 6:30 pm in FIT’s John E. Reeves Great Hall, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street.

The show is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and today is the last day to get them. So get your tail to the Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, Room 130 at FIT, northwest corner of 7th Avenue and 27th Street.

I can not make it to the show, but I would love to hear reports from those of you that go!

Sergeant Needs A Home

MEET SERGEANT…

He needs a forever home!!!

AGE: Approximately 10 months old
BREED: Black and White Husky/Shepherd/Border Collie Mix (best guess)
SIZE: Approximately 35-45 (the perfect size for a Brooklyn apartment!)
GENDER: Male, Neutered, Micro chipped & Fully Vaccinated

Poor Sergeant! He was walking down 35th Street with a homeless woman on her way to the methadone clinic. He was emaciated and limping (he had a broken paw). Luckily for him, a nice woman who loves dogs saw him and offered to take him to a vet and get him fixed up. So Sergeant went to the hospital and got his paw healed, put on some weight and got LOTS of love.

From the very beginning he was extremely affectionate. Now he is all better and needs a forever home. He is very friendly, energetic and happy. He gets along great with other dogs. He needs a home with active people who are happy to go to the dog park with him, walk him and go to obedience class. He is very smart & learns quickly. He’d probably do best in a home with no children under 10 years old.

Now he is living at Monster Mutt, with really nice dogs to play with and nice people to pet him, but he really needs his very own FOREVER HOME.

Please come visit SERGEANT at:
Monster Mutt LLC, 297 Warren Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, 718-858-9028

Sample Sale... For Dogs!!

I thought some of you might be interested in this New York Dog Sample Sale. Hank's too big for a carrier, to rough and tumble for a coat and still chews any bed I get for him so we will not be attending. Oh well, maybe when I'm allowed to get a second dog I'll have reason to go.

Sample Sale

Fashionable accessories for the best dressed dogs

Unbelievable prices on Designer Travel Bags, Totes, Raincoats, Coats, Sweaters, Collars, Leashes, Harnesses, Beds and Toys. Up to 80% below retail.

Special Sale on all carriers – Buy 1 get 2^nd one ½ price!

New inventory daily

Wednesday, Apr 15^th 10am-8pm

Thursday, Apr 16^th 10am-8pm

Friday, Apr 17^th 10am-8pm

Dogs invited to bring their owners!

Location:

New York Dog

133 West 25^th Street, Suite 9E

New York, NY 10001

Ph: 646-486-1331

Trains: F, V, 1, 9 to 23^rd Street

My Outtakes

I have finally gotten around to have my photo taken for the Biscuits & Bath website. It was not an easy task since I am fairly camera shy and very critical of every photo of me ever. But my sister was visiting this weekend and she's got a pretty good eye for photography so I bit the bullet.

I knew I wanted an outdoor shot (my apartment would not be much in the way of a background) and I thought something kind of urban looking would be cool. After all, urban dog training is a pretty different animal. Even though the weather was pretty weird this weekend, we managed to find a short window of time when the sun was shining (and my hair was acceptable). I settled on my neighbor's roll gate as a backdrop because the sun was only on that side of the street.

I'm satisfied with the results (you'll have to check the B&B website to see the final selection), but I thought it would be fun to share the shots that did not make the cut. Clearly Hank was not as intent as getting a good shot as I was!

If only his eyes were open!

The camera's the other way!

Argh!

Um, hello?