Photo by Courtney Kistler, Rational Animal
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Dog Owning Tenants' Rights
The revised NYCHA pet policy that went into effect May 1, 2009, reduces the permissible weight for full-grown dogs from 40 to 25 pounds and restricts specific breeds, including Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans, either pure- or mixed-breed. Dogs registered with NYCHA by April 30, 2009, regardless of breed and providing they do not exceed the prior 40 pound weight limit, have been grandfathered and will be allowed to remain in NYCHA housing. Residents who submitted a registration form by April 30 were given a 90-day grace period to submit a veterinarian certification verifying that their dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies, not one of the prohibited breeds, and licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Under the revised NYCHA pet policy, dogs exceeding the 25 pound weight limit and/or deemed a prohibited breed may not reside in NYCHA housing.
The ASPCA, NYC Animal Care & Control (AC&C), and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals are concerned that breed-specific bans and weight restrictions may result in people unnecessarily giving up their dogs. If you are a NYCHA resident, we want you to know that you may have the legal right to keep your dog. We have provided the following information to help you.
Your Legal Rights
by the ASPCA
NYCHA Pet Policy And Residents' Rights
by the ASPCA, HSUS, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, AC&C
Updated August 2010
La Póliza de NYCHA Sobre Mascotas y Los Derechos de Inquilinos
by the ASPCA, HSUS, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, AC&C
Updated August 2010
by the ASPCA, HSUS, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, AC&C
Updated August 2010
by the ASPCA, HSUS, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, AC&C
Updated August 2010
ASPCA Urges Residents of NYC Housing Authority to Register Pets by January 31
Press Release by the ASPCA
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tossed into the cold: Pit bulls at shelters surge after NYCHA restrictions
by Amy Sacks, New York Daily News
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Investigative reporting on the NYCHA breed ban and lowered weight restriction
by Courtney Kistler, Rational Animal
Monday, October 12, 2009
ASPCA Drafts Letter Outlining NYCHA Tenants' Rights
Press Release by the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
ASPCA Drafts Letter Outlining NYCHA Tenants' Rights
Press Release by the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Memo from the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
ASPCA Propuesta una Carta detallando los Derechos de los Residentes de NYCHA
Press Release by the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Los Derechos de los residentes de NYCHA
Memo from the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Press Release by the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Memo from the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Press Release by the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Memo from the ASPCA, AC&C of NYC, and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Media Coverage
Tossed into the cold: Pit bulls at shelters surge after NYCHA restrictions
by Amy Sacks, New York Daily News
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Dog days extended for NYCHA residents
by Nicholas Bloom, Columbia Spectator
Monday, December 7, 2009
Housing Authority Extends Deadline for Registering Dogs
by Manny Fernandez, City Room Blog, The New York Times
Friday, November 20, 2009
Dog Fight: Breed Ban Takes Its Toll
by Chez Pazienza, The Village Voice
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Pit Bull Ban in Housing Projects Results in Mass Euthanization
by John Del Signore, Gothamist
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Large Dogs in Public Housing Are Now Endangered Species
by Manny Fernandez, The New York Times
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
New York City's Pit Bull Problem – And Why YOU Care
by Courtney Kistler, New York Tails
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Young Leader from Lower East Side Takes on NYCHA and New Pet Policy
by Courtney Kistler, Examiner.com
Monday, July 27, 2009
New NYC housing rules may jam dog shelters
by jwoestendiek, ohmidog
Monday, July 6, 2009
ASPCA fears NYCHA dog ban in city housing will fill animal shelters
by Lisa L. Colangelo, New York Daily News
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Wave of Dog Surrenders Possible In Wake of NYCHA Dog Breed/Weight Ban
by New York Tails
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Public housing tenants vow a dogfight over pet rules
by Rita Wu, The Villager
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
by New York Tails
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Pet owners living in city housing complexes urged to know their rights
by Staten Island Advance
Tuesday June 9, 2009
New research exposes high taxpayer cost to ban pit bulls
Press Release by Best Friends Animal Society
Friday, May 29, 2009