A pair of aggressive pit bulls has been causing chaos at a Coney Island building for several months. Pet owners reported that the dogs killed a puppy and seriously injured two others.
The most recent incident took place Sunday morning. Calypso, a French bulldog, had just returned home when one of the pit bulls grabbed her and lifted her off the ground.
“He swung her around like a toy,” recalled owner Diane Bradley, 56.
She described how she desperately tried to pull Calypso away, to the point where the leash snapped and she fell to the ground. In a panic, she called for her husband.
Derrick, 58, jumped in to help. He managed to separate one of the dogs, but during the altercation, the pit bull’s owner reacted by hitting the other dog to aid Calypso’s escape.
Video obtained by the Post seems to show the owner of the pit bulls watching the scene unfold without intervening.
Calypso survived but suffered significant injuries, including a swollen eye and needing stitches. The Bradleys have filed a police report regarding the attack.
This was not an isolated event; it was one of three attacks reported since May. Other pet owners expressed their fears, stating they are anxious walking their dogs and believe the owners of the pit bulls should be held accountable.
“We’re terrified,” said LaToya Nunn, who doesn’t live in the building. “It’s just awful. We can’t even safely walk our dogs anymore. It’s frightening for both humans and pets.”
Nunn’s dog, Denim, was tragically killed during a community event on June 19. She recounted how Denim seemed to be trying to protect her when the larger dog approached. Nunn thought if she had held Denim tighter, it could have been even worse for both of them.
According to Nunn, the two pit bulls quickly overwhelmed Denim, leaving the scene bloody and horrific. She later died at a veterinary hospital. “She brought so much joy to my life,” Nunn lamented.
Lesia Palmer, another resident, shared a similar story about her dog, Milo. One May afternoon, while her daughter was walking him, the pit bulls charged after them.
The pit bulls, who were supposedly on leashes, lunged at Milo. Palmer’s daughter ended up letting go of the leash to protect him. Milo ended up with multiple bite wounds, the worst on his neck.
The management company for the Coney Island Commons informed that eviction proceedings against the pit bull’s owner had started.
In a statement, they emphasized that the safety of residents and their pets is a top concern and that they are taking the matter seriously.
When the Post tried to contact the pit bull’s owner, there was no response, though barking was heard from inside.
Frustration among pet owners is growing over the lack of stringent action regarding dangerous dogs and their owners. In New York State, legal action over animal incidents usually falls under civil law.
“These dogs are dangerous,” Nunn underscored, with Palmer adding, “Those two dogs need to go.”
Palmer questioned, “How many more pets will be attacked? How long before someone gets seriously hurt?”
