A pit bull, suspected of frequently attacking local dogs, recently harmed a Jack Russell mix named Percy after jumping over a broken fence, according to the dog’s owner, David Baldwin.
On the morning of July 3rd, Baldwin, 48, was walking Percy near Broadway Avenue and 42nd Avenue in Astoria when the incident occurred.
Surveillance footage captured Baldwin shouting for help as he struggled to fend off the attacking pit bull, which targeted his 17-pound pet.
Eventually, a neighbor rushed out to calm both the pit bull and another dog involved in the scuffle shown in the video.
“I ended up running away with my dog bleeding; I was hurt, bleeding, and crying,” Baldwin recalled.
After the attack, Percy spent three days in the ICU for treatment, and Baldwin mentioned that the list of medical procedures totaled three pages. The veterinary expenses exceeded $8,000 due to multiple broken ribs and other injuries.
Percy, described by Baldwin as affectionate, still shakes when hearing the sound from the attack’s recording.
Baldwin attempted to file a police report at his local precinct, but officers informed him that there wasn’t much they could do about the situation.
“They just told me to sue the owner,” Baldwin said, feeling frustrated with the lack of options available to him.
In response to similar incidents, a bill named “Penny’s Law” is pending in the state legislature. This legislation seeks to close a gap that currently only addresses dog attacks on humans. The bill is named after a Chihuahua, Penny, who was attacked by a pit bull in May.
Baldwin also filmed a warning video outside the home where the pit bull resides, cautioning dog walkers to stay away.
The NYPD has recorded the incident as a case of “animal communication,” allowing for some documentation, according to Baldwin.
Reports from other pet owners indicate that the same pit bull, involved in Percy’s injuries, has attacked several dogs in at least three different occurrences in recent months.
One owner, Samuel Gutierrez, recounted how his dog, Stella, was bitten when the pit bull leaped over its fence. The attack left Stella with a 7-inch scar, requiring costly medical attention.
“I’m traumatized, and so is my dog. Walking her has become a worry,” Gutierrez said, sharing his deep concern over the incident.
City records show over 1,200 complaints have been filed regarding dog-related incidents in the past year.
A previous recommendation to fix the fence was reportedly ignored by the city’s Ministry of Health, and local officials acknowledged no repairs had taken place.
Baldwin hopes to see necessary repairs to the fence – not just to protect his own pet but to ensure safety for all.
“My veterinary bills were overwhelming. This emotional pain could easily escalate if a child gets involved next time. If the fence were secure, walking would be less daunting,” he expressed.
The Ministry of Health has not commented on the situation.
