what to know
- Laurie Davis is suing the owner of a German shepherd, who also owns La Librairie des Enfants, after her dog, Chloe, was attacked in May.
- “Next thing I know, the white dog has Chloe in its mouth,” Davis said. “She had emergency surgery. And what she feared most was that she would lose the friendly sweetness of her. Thank God she didn’t.”
- The New York Times first reported a series of dog attacks linked to five German Shepherds owned by store operator Lynda Hudson.
NEW YORK — People on the Upper East Side say there’s a violent dog at a children’s bookstore in their neighborhood, blaming the four-legged animal’s latest act or terror for the death of a toy poodle.
Laurie Davis is suing the owner of a German shepherd, who also owns La Librairie des Enfants, after her dog, Chloe, was attacked in May. Davis is seeking around $6,000 in small claims court for vet fees.
“Next thing I know, the white dog has Chloe in its mouth,” Davis said. “She had emergency surgery. And what she feared most was that she would lose the friendly sweetness of her. Thank God she didn’t.”
Davis is among a group of dog owners upset that the owner of the French children’s bookstore routinely keeps five German Shepherds in the store on East 92nd Street between Lexington and Third Avenues.
Lucas Bandenalle lives above the bookstore and says his dog, Trasila, was also bitten in recent weeks by one of the German shepherds that came out of the bookstore.
“I think the dogs need a new home or proper care,” he told NBC 4 New York. “I don’t think she can be in the neighborhood anymore. All the dogs are suffering.”
Possibly the most gruesome attack took place last week, when Baby’s owner says one of the dogs ran out and bit his little dog, breaking its spine. The injuries were so severe that he says he had to put the toy poodle down.
The New York Times first reported a series of dog attacks linked to five German Shepherds owned by store operator Lynda Hudson.
Other neighbors, who did not want to go on camera, confirmed that dogs in the store have been a concern for years and that many people cross the street instead of approaching the bookstore.
Cary Cromelin, however, says he has never had a problem walking his Golden Retriever.
“I grip harder when I hear a big dog barking, but I haven’t had any problems,” Cromelin said.
The city’s Health Department is investigating bite cases and says it was only aware of the attack involving Chloe from Davis. But it appears that no action was taken because no one was bitten and there was no official record of a history of bites involving other animals.
“I would like her to pay my bills and for those dogs to never be here again,” Davis said.
Hudson could not be reached for comment. Some neighbors say the operator has taken his dogs to Westchester County.
