News

"It's a bitter barking battle that has divided
communities across the five boroughs: Should dogs be
free to run without a leash in public city parks?

One Queens community group says no, and its
members have filed a lawsuit against the parks
department that could spell the end of off-leash hours,
which run 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. in most parks.

The Juniper Park Civic Association, headquartered in
Middle Village, says dogs on the loose break the law,
pose a threat of attack and scare people from spaces
intended for public recreation."

Continued on AMNY

"The Maspeth, Middle Village, and Elmhurst areas of
Queens –the most densely populated section of the
borough - are known for their high voter turnout in
local elections and for being one of the few places in
the city to elect Republicans to local office.

These middle-class neighborhoods are also known
for a lack of open space, with just two acres of
parkland for over 167,000 residents.

Continued at The Gotham Gazette

"Amanda Soto, of Astoria, says her pet is "the
sweetest dog ever." But sweetness won¹t get him a
ride on the subway.

While Butch, her 60-pound pit bull-pointer mix, may
be a favorite in the neighborhood, the MTA wants
nothing to do with him. Under its current laws, pets
must be "enclosed in a container and carried in a
manner which would not annoy other passengers,"...

Continued at AM NY

"Americans love animals and know little about them.
We are used to convenience and short cuts; we
respond to marketing. Meanwhile, the pet industry
needs to move a lot of animals, so it promotes the idea
that there's a Perfect Dog for everyone.

The Perfect Dog is an enticing fantasy pooch. It's the
dog that instantly learns to pee outdoors, never
menaces or frightens children, plays gently with other
dogs, won't jump on the UPS guy, never rolls in gross
things, eats only the appropriate food at the right time,
and never chews anything not meant for him. This dog
does not exist..."

Continued at Slate.com