A dog in the Upper West Side of New York recently caused quite a stir when it was spotted walking along a narrow ledge on the 15th floor of a building—approximately 200 feet in the air. On November 23, resident Deanne Romano witnessed the alarming sight and couldn’t believe her eyes as she saw the medium-sized dog inching its way to the ledge’s end and peering over.
“I first thought it was a statue. It was just standing still out there, and then I freaked out when I realized it was a real dog,” Romano shared. The concerning scenario unfolded while she was visiting a friend in the building.
According to Romano, the dog perched precariously on the ledge for about 15 minutes, even standing up on its back legs at one point, seemingly trying to get the attention of someone inside the apartment. After witnessing the risky behavior, she called 911, but when the police arrived, the dog was nowhere to be found. The incident did prompt at least one complaint to the city’s 311 service.
Romano expressed her bewilderment. “I can’t wrap my head around how this happened. Surely, it’s a violation of building safety codes or perhaps even considered animal endangerment,” she said.
The doorman at the building confirmed he had received complaints regarding the dog before. Since the incident, management has met with the dog’s owners to urge them to prevent the dog from accessing the ledge. By Wednesday, it seemed the owners had placed an outdoor chair near the ledge to block the dog’s way.
Nearby residents had strong opinions about the situation, with some labeling it a case of animal cruelty. One man, shocked by the photos of the dog, exclaimed, “That’s a dog? Unbelievable.” Another added, “Someone needs to be arrested. That’s so dangerous. I hope he’s okay.”
Some neighbors speculated about the dog’s state of mind, with one comment suggesting that the older-looking pup might just be tired of urban life.
Canine behaviorist Dominick Feichtner weighed in on the matter, pointing out the seriousness of the situation. “It’s a case of neglect and carelessness. They should have ensured the dog was in a safe space when they weren’t around, especially after realizing the risks involved,” he stated.
This incident highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for owners to take necessary precautions to keep their pets safe, especially in high-rise living situations.
