Ritzy One Lincoln Plaza imposes harsh new rules on dog owners including banning certain breeds

DAILY NEWS WRITERS
Tuesday, September 21st 2010, 4:00 AM
Stewart Hirsch, with his English bulldogs Biggie and Lola, is a resident of One Lincoln Plaza. The ritzy West Side building has imposed strict new rules on dog owners.
Gabel for News
Stewart Hirsch, with his English bulldogs Biggie and Lola, is a resident of One Lincoln Plaza. The ritzy West Side building has imposed strict new rules on dog owners.
A canine crackdown at a ritzy West Side building has outraged dog lovers, who may be forced to ride with their four-legged friends in service elevators.
Saying the building has gone to the dogs, the condo board at One Lincoln Plaza will vote Tuesday night on a set of Draconian new rules that would hit violators with $250 fines and bar Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and pit bulls from the building.
The proposed changes had dog owners in the building barking mad last night over measures they say will turn them - and their beloved pooches - into doggone second-class citizens.
"It's sickening," fumed Al Josephberg, 50, as he walked his French bulldog, Emily. "It's a ... dog-hating regime."
"It's outrageous," agreed Stuart Hirsch, 44, who has two English bulldogs, Biggie and Lola. "Dog owners shouldn't be treated differently."
Management at the 671-unit building on W. 64th St. declined to comment on the proposed measures, which would bar dogs from the main passenger elevators - and even ban dog-walkers from bringing in other pooches.
"This is going to be very explosive in the building," said Kevan Cleary, a longtime resident and dog lover. "People view dogs as part of the family, and basically, this is a form of harassment."
The new rules would grandfather in any residents with the banned breed, require pets to wear ID tags at all times and make owners keep the building free of fleas or bedbugs.
"If you have a dog, you have to accept that there are different rules," said building resident Sam Hurwitz, 54. "Nobody's saying you can't have a dog; we're just saying you have to use separate elevators."
Supporters of the new measures cast the changes as steps for safety and hygiene that protect the elderly.
"There are dogs bigger than kids in this building," said Gary Hirshberg, 70. "This is about people's well-being."
Dog lovers say their furry friends are being unfairly targeted.
"It's outlandish," said Alan Graison, 50, who owns a wheaten terrier named Farfel. "I've never seen dogs bring anything but joy to residents here."
jmartinez@edit.nydailynews.com
With John Marzulli


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/21/2010-09-21_posh_west_side_condo_pushes_dogconian_rules_to_forbid_undesirable_breeds_muzzle_.

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