**In Memory of McCoy 🐾 06/24/2024 - 11/30/2024**

On November 30, 2024, my five-month-old puppy, McCoy, was tragically hit by a car after running off-leash in Pulaski Park. The driver fled, and despite efforts to save him, McCoy passed away hours later. This heartbreaking loss could have been prevented had there been a designated, secure space for dogs to play safely.

This incident has highlighted the urgent need for a dog park in our community—an initiative I had already begun advocating for through my Dogs of Mott Haven platform. In recent years, Mott Haven has seen a rise in pet-friendly buildings. The waterfront park, though labeled dog-friendly, lacks a vital feature: a designated off-leash area. It also lacks essential amenities like pet water fountains and barriers to prevent dogs from darting into the street. Meanwhile, Bruckner Blvd remains a dangerous roadway, with reckless driving endangering both pedestrians and pets.

An estimated 1,000 to 2,000 dogs are killed by traffic in NYC each year. Studies also show that dog parks are among the fastest-growing public park facilities, proving the increasing demand for safe, off-leash spaces.

I propose converting the vacant, enclosed lot behind the Pulaski Park soccer field into a dog park. This would provide a secure environment for dogs to exercise and socialize while improving the safety and well-being of our community. No pet owner should suffer the heartbreak of losing their dog due to a lack of safe spaces.

Join me in making a change. Sign the petition to support the creation of a dog park in Mott Haven and help prevent another tragedy.

Together, we can create a safer, more pet-friendly community.

Now is the time to act. Sign the petition today!

#McCoysDogRun 🐾 

YouTube: Petition for a Dog Park in Mott Haven

 

 

 

(Satellite View of Vacant Lot circled in red)

 

 

 

 

(View of Vacant Lot from inside Pulaski Park)

 

 

 

 

(Vacant Lot behind Soccer Field in Pulaski Park)

 

 

 

 

(View from inside Vacant Lot looking towards Willis Ave Bridge)

 

 

 

 

(View from inside Vacant Lot from Willis Ave Bridge)

 

 

 

 

(Simple Dog Run rendering with Mural painted in the back in memory of McCoy)