On May 22, while walking my Norwegian Elkhound, I sat on a bench just past Capri Imports on upper Broadway in Schenectady. My dog sat next to me: He is very docile, loves people and [is] non-aggressive. Along came a red pit bull, no tags, no owner in sight. This dog attacked mine in an instant, latching onto his neck immediately. I kicked at the dog and screamed as loud as I could. My dog was frantic to be free of this brutal attack, but he was on his leash and could not get free. Within a few minutes, four strangers came by to help [many thanks to them]. Needless to say I was frantic, and one of the people who stopped called the police. They said they were busy but would respond. The other two men who stopped were able to subdue the dog and stop the attack. About 15 minutes went by, and I was finally able to walk home. The police had not responded at that point so I called them again when I got home. They said they couldn’t send anyone to my home or make out a report because I lived in Rotterdam. Likewise I was told by Rotterdam that they could not help because it happened in Schenectady. I cannot believe the treatment I got. I hope someone does something before a child or someone else gets hurt. In the May 31 paper, there was a letter about a dog trying to attack a man. She [the caller] was told by police that since it did not happen to her, there was nothing they could do. Are we waiting for someone to really get hurt? Could this be the same dog? Whom should we call when we have an emergency that involves our safety? What do our taxes go for if we can’t get help from either police department? From now on when I walk my dog, I will stay in the town I live in. It seems like someone should take some responsibility for this.
This pi$$es me off because I see this happening a lot. Dogs wandering around without owners. And sadly, its mostly pitts. I personally have nothing against the breed. I have it against the owners that train them to be mean. If that dog had attacked mine, you can guarentee that I would have kicked the dog and beaten it off with something. It probably would not have survived. But then I would have been charged with animal cruelty. To them it doesnt matter that my dog is the one suffering from being mauled. Its the dog that I hurt that would reap all the benefits. That angers me. Why am I not surprised that Schenectady Police didnt do anything? They were all probably on break and couldnt be bothered. Or they were all at their other jobs working.
There's some kind of dog place, right up the road on broadway called 'off da rip'.
It appears to be for pitts since that is all anyone see there when they go by. I guess they sell baby pitts and dog food and other stuff there too.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
If a dog attacks you or your dog and you have to kill it you won't be charged with a crime as there's a leash law. The owner of the loose dog is the one who should be charged.
If that dog had attacked mine, you can guarentee that I would have kicked the dog and beaten it off with something. It probably would not have survived. But then I would have been charged with animal cruelty. To them it doesnt matter that my dog is the one suffering from being mauled. Its the dog that I hurt that would reap all the benefits. That angers me. Why am I not surprised that Schenectady Police didnt do anything? They were all probably on break and couldnt be bothered. Or they were all at their other jobs working.
Actually, pit bulls fall under strict liability. If this owner is ever found, he/she is responsible for any medical bills or vet bills for the injured dog as well as punitive damages. It doesn't matter if this pit bull is 'great with kids' or escaped off its leash, in the eyes of the law, owning a pit bull is like owning a tiger - the owner (even a landlord) is responsible, period.
My fear is that a Pre-K is down the street. If this pit bull ever causes injury to a child, not only is the owner responsible, but the City is now on notice of a loose pit bull and refused to do anything.
I thought that the rpd would help out the spd and visa versa.....no?
the spd were probably too busy with shooters and killings in the city.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
This story upset me. It is wrong that we can't walk the streets without fear of ourselves or our pets being attacked. Something really needs to be done about this. Maybe licensing, but let's be real only the honest citizens would do that and I bet very few of the pit bull owners would. I wondered about banning them in the city but I bet there would be a court case about it.
One of the men there who helped out called the police and told them there was no "current" emergency and nobody was hurt. Sounds like the attack was over by the time he called the PD.
The woman called the police once she was home and she wanted an officer to come over to Rotterdam to take her complaint. The Schen dispatcher basically told her that now that the matter was over she would need to come to the police station to fill out the papers. From what I understand she acknowledged that but never went. It could be she didn't have a car but I wonder if she couldn't have found a friend to take her there.
The first police officer able to respond did so within three minutes. I am not sure where in the city he was coming from but it was all over when he got there. Sounds like the lady left already.
It was not just the attack that upset me but when she indicated no support from either pd that bothered me a lot.
Then I thought about this some and realized that our (Schen) PD are very busy.
If the issue of prioritizing the importance between an event that was already over, the man that called basically had said that and the cop was sent out 3 minutes from the first report and the lady was calling "from home" OR attending to a active robbery, shooting or a domestic call, since the attack "was already over" I don't think it was unreasonable to tell the lady to come down to the station to fill out the forms.
As far as the Rotterdam side of it I have no information on their position on the issue except what was in the paper.
From what I heard, one of the men that helped out took the dog. The dog was very thin and was scared. I heard he will be contacting animal control to see what needs to be done.
This makes me wonder though. If the dog was so starving and thin then it must have been on the streets for a while. Why wasn't it picked up a long time ago? What in the world does the animal control officer in this city do all day. Someone told they have bankers hours but they could be wrong.
carry mace or pepper spray. I know of someone who carries an air pistol when they walk their dog.
"Arguing with liberals is like playing chess with a pigeon; no matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon is just going to knock out the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like it is victorious." - Author Unknown
I see a lot of folks carrying large sticks but if it was me I would go for the mace or pellet air pistol. The problem with the pistol is most likely if you use it they will find a way to arrest ya. I am not sure about the legalities about mace.
I see a lot of folks carrying large sticks but if it was me I would go for the mace or pellet air pistol. The problem with the pistol is most likely if you use it they will find a way to arrest ya. I am not sure about the legalities about mace.
Wouldn't bother me much. I'd re-coup any fine by either suing the owner of the attack dog or the city for non-enforcement.
"Arguing with liberals is like playing chess with a pigeon; no matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon is just going to knock out the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like it is victorious." - Author Unknown
There is a major problem with under staffing at the SPD for animal control. On Saturday no one is on duty in the morning. SNAP/Animal Control are two areas the DEMS ruining the City cut. One animal control officer can't police all the pit bulls and idiot pit bull owners. That store on Broadway is a public nuisance that should be closed by Code Enforcement.
If you think this isn't a huge issue spend a day in City Court. One day a week is pit bull day. An elderly couple sitting on the porch with a collie were attacked by a loose pit. The dog got inside the house, killed the collie and severely injured the couple. The owner got an attorney to fight to keep her dog! Keep your good dogs/kids away from Central Park which is another pit bull haven. Beyond pathetic how the City refuses to get real with this serious issue.
The SPD shows up when they want too. They are the worst police force in the area. I got hit by a drunk driver on Broadway, called 911 while keeping the drunk their (not easy) and it took 45 minutes to get a cop there. It also was on upper Broadway right across the street fromt he mechanics shop and the church.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
For any animal that appears abused or emaciated, contact: http://www.schenectadyspca.org/. The phone number is on the website.
Matt Tully and his partners are very responsive and concerned. Even if you don't know who the dog belongs to, they may. Or they are at least willing to try and help any animal in need. They will look into it.
As far as attacks, I don't think that is within their scope of duty but I could be wrong. These guys are so caring and professional. Keep their number handy and , if you can, donate as they are all volunteers.
There's some kind of dog place, right up the road on broadway called 'off da rip'.
It appears to be for pitts since that is all anyone see there when they go by. I guess they sell baby pitts and dog food and other stuff there too.
Hmmmm, I wonder if they are licensed to sell dogs, you have to be a licensed small animal dealer in NYS according to the dept of agriculture. Turn them in and get 'em out! They are probably a puppy mill or obtain their pups from them or are involved in POOR BREEDING PRACTICES which tends to produce dogs of poor temprament with the resultant behavior issues. Could be that that emaciated dog mentioned by Cel is one of their "breeders". The breeders are not usually well cared for. REPORT IT.
They they sell them to just any idiot. Disgusting.
Logged
There is a major problem with under staffing at the SPD for animal control. On Saturday no one is on duty in the morning. SNAP/Animal Control are two areas the DEMS ruining the City cut. One animal control officer can't police all the pit bulls and idiot pit bull owners. That store on Broadway is a public nuisance that should be closed by Code Enforcement. 
