South Queens, NY: On Friday, May 16 at 10:00am on the City Hall steps, State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar will bring the community together for a rally to pass “Penny’s Law,” a landmark bill that will create unprecedented protections for dogs and their handlers.
Joining the Assemblywoman will be Lauren Claus, whose dog Penny, the bill’s namesake, was hospitalized by two pitbulls in an attack that went viral. Also joining will be Karen Kramer, aka “Karen the Dog Walker,” who came to Penny’s aid; as well as elected officials; Assemblywoman Rajkumar’s Senior Advisor, whose own dog has been attacked twice; and hundreds of dog lovers from across the Five Boroughs.
Penny’s Law will establish new crimes of letting a dog attack dogs or people, and leaving the scene of an animal attack. It will also make repeatedly letting dogs illegally off leash a criminal violation instead of a civil penalty; and require more signage in parks regarding leash laws.
Lauren Claus launched a change.org petition to pass Penny’s Law that has already garnered more than 20,000 signatures, making Rajkumar’s bill one of the most popular in Albany history.
Currently, allowing a dog to attack or even kill a dog is not generally a crime, letting negligent owners act with impunity. Fueling the crisis are pervasive dogs illegally off leash.
