Against the New York City Housing Authority Pet Policy

Dear Chairman Morales,

We, the Undersigned, oppose the manner in which NYCHAs amendment to the Pet Policy was implemented. We oppose arbitrary and condescending rules against particular breeds. We oppose excessive weight restrictions on dogs. These types of regulations unfairly discriminate against responsible dog guardians who reside in NYCHA and serve only to brand public housing residents and their pets as vicious and out of control.

Additionally, the manner in which residents were notified was sub par in even the most generous assessment. Mail notification did not occur in many developments; NYCHAs newsletter Journal only announced the policy change on the 11th page of its April issue; and most distressingly, the sparse notification that did exist was only distributed in English. Spanish and Chinese-speaking residents, among others, could not read the notice announcing the policy changelet alone follow it.

To rectify these problems we feel like your offices need to:

1
Extend the May 1st deadline to May 1st, 2010.

2
Revoke the bans on specific dog breeds.

3
Conduct a full Authority review of the pet policy with participation of NYCHA tenants who are pet owners. We must create a real solution to the issues that having pets bring to the public housing community.

4
Halt any and all evictions in association with the pet policy.

5
At the Town Hall and final presentation of the Draft Annual Plan, solicit resident suggestions on a more rational pet policy. These suggestions should be the basis of the final pet policy to be implemented on May 1, 2010.