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Condo Canine Crackdown On Upper West Side

NEW YORK (WCBS 880/1010 WINS/CBS 2) - At One Lincoln Plaza, dog owners say they understand that some pooches are out of control and not everyone is a dog lover.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reports
LISTEN: 1010 WINS' John Montone reports

"The dog walker we have coming around, she's now only allowed to bring one dog into the building at a time," one man told WCBS 880 reporter Paul Murnane.

The condo board is expected to vote on a new set of measures Tuesday night that would ban Rottweilers and Dobermans from the building and hit owners of a bad dog with a fine of $250.

Under the new rules, dog owners may also be restricted to the service elevator with their furry friends.

"The service elevator often isn't functioning," one woman said. "We often have to wait up to 15 minutes for the elevator and you never know if it's going to come."

Walking his Boston Terrier named "Murphy," William Hornby says it all seems over the top.

"I just find it a bit weird how they want us to send in photographs of the dogs," Hornby told 1010 WINS' John Montone. "Like a mug shot."

CBS 2's John Metaxas met "Emily," a 3-year-old French bulldog, but she wasn't feeling very welcome in the Upper West Side apartment she shares with her owner Al Josephberg.

"Unfortunately certain people on the board don't like dogs and that's a problem for the rest of us," Josephberg said.

Judith Hoffman has lived in the building for 37 years.

"I've always had dogs and I feel the hostility from people," said Hoffman, owner of Malteses "Sophia" and "Bella."

"I think that these rules are outrageous."

There are, however, voices that support the board.

"I'm all for banning them. I think they're dangerous," one resident said.

"Dogs in the building are supposed to take the service elevator and I like that idea," added resident Harry Demell.

But dog owners said the rules go too far, relegating them to second-class citizenship.

"I've raised three children in the building, had dogs in the building, had a cat in the building and suddenly I'm going out the back door at all times," Hoffman said.

Though the rules would ban larger breeds one resident said the problem on her floor is a tiny terror.

"All the time, he run downs the hall, and then there's another dog who is quiet, docile, and a pretty big breed," said one woman.

Sometimes, she said, the problem is the owner.

Some said they'll even consult lawyers to see if their rights are being violated.

RELATED STORY: Bronxville Could Fine You $250 for Your Loud Dog

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