By: Don Driggers

Residents at a luxury Upper West Side apartment building, known as Hawthorn Park on West 62nd Street, are facing strict rules regarding their pets. Previously, the building banned dogs from entering its marble lobby, but now pet owners are required to use a separate service entrance designated for canines.

According to a resident, Deanna Bosselman, the doormen are instructed to log any tenant who uses the front door with their pets and report it to the legal department.

The NY Post reported on the drama at Hawthorn Park on the West Side.

Bosselman, who owns a 17-pound mini–Australian Shepherd named Etta Mae, said she had been using the front door for months without any issues until a doorman informed her of the new policy. The pet owners are now expected to use the sole service elevator to take their dogs outside and must enter and exit through the service door on Amsterdam Avenue, even if it’s occupied with trash or people moving in and out.

The building management claims that the policy is in place to maintain the cleanliness of the lobby. Dogs are not allowed to walk through the main entrance, but they can come near the lobby as long as their owners carry them to prevent any mess.

Despite the strict rules, The Post witnessed at least two dog owners leaving through the front door with their pets without facing any consequences. The building’s owner declined to comment on the matter.

The lack of clarity on potential fines for violating the pet rules has left residents like Bosselman frustrated. She believes that the strict regulations were prompted by complaints from non-pet owners in the building, the NY Post claimed.

Although she respects those who may not want to be around pets, she is now actively seeking a more pet-friendly living arrangement.

Glenwood Management, the company responsible for managing the building, directed inquiries to a manager who did not respond to calls seeking clarification on the pet policies.

The presence of pets in residential buildings, particularly rental properties, and condominiums, has been a subject of contention and conflicts among residents, property owners, and management. While pets can bring joy and companionship to their owners, they also introduce various challenges and concerns within shared living spaces.

These issues are common in large urban areas, when people are often compacted into large apartment buildings.

Pet conflicts in residential buildings can arise from various sources, including pet policies, noise disturbances, cleaning issues, and safety concerns. Adopting transparent and well-communicated pet policies, as well as promoting responsible pet ownership, is essential for quality building management.

Large Dogs in particular create quality of life issue in large cities. Often, inconsiderate New Yorkers, will allow their animals to urinate and defecate all over the street creating unsanitary conditions.

Unpredictable animals like Pitt Bulls are responsible for many horrible deaths in America and a status symbol among the world of inner-city gangs. Often lawless dog owners will let their giant and dangerous dogs roam off the leash.

Between 20015 to 2017, only 21% of fatal dog attacks resulted in criminal charges. 75% of these cases involved a pit bull. It is estimated that by 2021, pit bulls would have mauled 441 Americans to death since 1998.