Not Just Pit Bulls Banned From City Housing -- (Cats and Dalmations, Too?)

This is a developing story. I've been trying to call NYCHA since last Thursday and Friday to get more details as to how they're getting around the anti-breed discrimination and other things to enact this law.

I am continuing to do research to get it straight from the horse's mouth (NYCHA) as I don't like to perpetuate half-truths. In the meantime, here is the section of the law which spells it out.

Read it carefully and you will see not just pit bulls are under the ban; the number of cats you can have as well as a plethora of other breeds--some that make you go whaaa?--are on the list. I've bolded some of those.

Cats are not exempt--ONE cat per apartment!

Please tell your friends in public housing, or if YOU live in public housing, about this. It starts May 1st. IMPORTANT--this does NOT mean to get rid of your dog by May 1st. Likely your current dog is grandfathered in. But they will be looking for licenses and shots.

Concerned citizesn, please contact your local council person and NYCHA directly (google NYCHA and CALL as well as email) and ask what's going on.


IV. Permissible Pet Guidelines

D. Dogs and Cats Registered with NYCHA on and After May 1, 2009
1. Number of Dogs or Cats: One. A resident may own either one (1)
domesticated dog or one (1) domesticated cat per apartment.

2. Dog Weight Restriction: Twenty-Five Pounds. The weight of a dog based
on the projected full-grown adult weight, may not exceed twenty-five (25)
pounds. [Currently, this weight may not exceed 40 lbs.]

3. Breed or Type of Pet Restriction: The following breeds of dogs, either full
breed or mixed breed, are prohibited:
.. Commonly known breeds: Pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman , Chow,
Boxer, Akita, German Shepherd
.. Other breeds : Akita Inu, Alangu Mastiff, Alano Español, Alaskan
Husky, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine Dogo, Bedlington
Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bull and Terrier, Bull Terrier, Bully Kutta,
Cane Corso, Dalmation, Dogue de Bordeaux, Dogo Sardesco,
English Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, Golden Retreiver, Gull Dong, Gull
Terr, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Korea Jindo Dog, Lottatore
Brindisino, Neapolitan Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario (CanaryDog), Perro de Presa Mallorquin (Ca de Bou), Shar Pei,
Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu


(2) Below is the portion of the policy that will assist residents who want to register dogs over 25 lbs. and/or belonging to one of the 33 prohibited breeds (or a mix thereof) prior to May 1st:

IV. Permissible Pet Guidelines
A. Small Pets Not Requiring Registration with NYCHA
Provided they are not prohibited by law, NYCHA permits residents to own
small pets which include small caged birds (parakeets, canaries), fish, and
small caged animals (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) in reasonable quantities, only if their numbers do not create a nuisance or an unsafe or unsanitary
condition. This paragraph does not include dogs or cats.

B. Dogs and Cats Owned Prior to May 1, 2002 and Registered with NYCHA
Prior to February 1, 2003 (“Grandparent Clause”)
Public housing residents who owned dogs or cats prior to May 1, 2002
(ownership must be independently verified) that were registered with NYCHA
prior to February 1, 2003 may keep that specific dog(s) or cat(s), even if the
number of dog(s) and/or cat(s) exceed the one pet limit. These pets are also
exempt from weight and breed restrictions. The pet is permitted if owned by
the resident and registered at a prior development, according to the dates
specified in this paragraph, before transferring to their current development.
Once the specific pet is removed from the apartment it can not be replaced.
Any newly acquired cat or dog must meet current guidelines.

C. Dogs and Cats Registered with NYCHA Between May 1, 2002 to April 30,
2009
1. Number of Dogs or Cats: One. A resident may own either one (1)
domesticated dog or one (1) domesticated cat per apartment.

2. Dog Weight Restriction: Forty Pounds. The weight of a dog based on the
projected full-grown adult weight, may not exceed forty (40) pounds.

3. Breed or Type of Pet Restriction: None.
Once the specific pet is removed from the apartment it can not be
replaced. Any newly acquired cat or dog must meet current guidelines.


VI. Registration of Dogs, Cats and Service Animals
All residents must register with NYCHA their dog, cat or Service Animal on a
one-time basis. If a dog, cat or Service Animal that was initially registered is
removed from the apartment, any new dog, cat or Service Animal acquired must
be registered. Registration is required for all dogs or cats and “Service Animals,”
even if the pet owner is exempt from paying the one–time registration fee. A
previously unregistered dog, cat or Service Animal can not be registered and can
not be maintained in the apartment, unless it complies with the NYCHA pet policy
in effect at the time of registration (e.g., regarding number of pets, weight and
breed restrictions).

The following are required in order to complete registration.
A. Dog, Cat and Service Animal Registration Form
Residents must report the presence of a dog, cat or Service Animal
maintained in their apartments by completing and returning the form, Dog,
Cat and Service Animal Registration, NYCHA 040.505.
The Registration form requires that residents must identify their dog, cat or
Service Animal, specify an alternative caregiver and certify that the pet/animal
will be maintained in accordance with NYCHA’s pet rules.

1. When the Registration Form must be submitted:
• Existing Residents: must submit the Registration Form no later than 30
days after acquiring a dog, cat or Service Animal.

• New Residents: must submit the Registration Form during the rental
interview for any dog, cat or Service Animal they wish to bring in to the
NYCHA apartment. Staff must explain the pet policy to prospective
residents at the time of the rental interview.

2. Subsequent Registrations:
If a dog, cat or Service Animal that was initially registered is removed from
the apartment, the resident must register and submit a new Registration
Form no later than 30 days after acquiring a new dog, cat or Service
Animal.

B. Dog and Cat Registration Fee
Unless exempt as noted below, residents who wish to maintain a dog or cat
must pay a one-time, non-refundable pet registration fee of $25.00, valid
for the duration of the tenancy at NYCHA. Residents must pay the fee in its
entirety at the time of registration. No partial payments are allowed.
Once the registration fee is paid, a resident may obtain another pet/animal
instead of the one initially registered without paying an additional fee,
however, the new pet/animal must be registered with NYCHA and any pet
rules in effect at the time of the new registration, such as number of pets, pet
weight or breed restrictions, apply.

Although required to register their pet with NYCHA, the following residents
are not charged the pet registration fee:
• Residents who reside in senior citizen developments or senior citizen
buildings.
• Residents who reside in Section 8 - Project Based developments.
• Residents who acquire or maintain a verified Service Animal.

C. Dog, Cat and Service Animal Veterinarian Certification Form
Upon receipt of the completed Registration form, staff shall give the form,
Dog, Cat and Service Animal Veterinarian Certification, NYCHA 040.505A, to
residents who wish to maintain a dog, cat or Service Animal.

The Veterinarian Certification form must be completed by a Veterinarian on a
one time basis per any dog, cat or Service Animal registered. The form must
be returned by residents within 90 days of the date that the form was given
to them.

The Veterinarian Certification form requires that a Veterinarian certify that the
dog, cat or Service Animal:

• Is properly licensed according to local law
• Has obtained current rabies vaccinations according to local law
• Has been spayed or neutered



(3) Below is the portion of the policy that will assist residents who want to register dogs over 25 lbs. and/or belonging to one of the 33 prohibited breeds (or a mix thereof) as of May 1st:

All current registration and certification info. applies, but in addition, as noted above, the weight limit is now 25 lbs. (based on projected full-grown weight) and 33 breeds (and mixes thereof) are prohibited under breed. Further: the Veterinarian Certification must note that the dog:

• Is not a prohibited breed as indicated in Section IV, D 3