Poop City

Still undecided in the 40th

Strange doings in Brooklyn’s City Council District 40.

A special election held last month to replace Yvette Clarke, now a congresswoman, saw Clarke endorsee Mathieu Eugene walk away with the seat. Then questions about Eugene’s residency cropped up - i.e. there were (and are) doubts as to whether he even lived in the district at the time of the election. These doubts are serious enough that his swearing in has been delayed, yet the Eugene camp is refusing to provide proof of residency, claiming their man is being singled out due to his Haitian heritage.

All this is relevant in Poop City due to the fact that another District 40 candidate, Zenobia McNally, was endorsed by the League of Humane Voters as an advocate on animal welfare issues, including Intro. 13, which continues to languish (hello Mr. Mayor). Perhaps more relevant, since McNally was not one of the top finishers on election day: Eugene was the only candidate to blow off the LOHV, declining to be interviewed or even return its questionnaire. And that’s just rude.

The Daily Gotham - which, as it happens, also endorsed McNally - is all over this developing story. Read the latest here.

UPDATE 3/9:
- Eugene calls for second election. [NY1]

United we scoop, divided we leash

The future of the city's public park leash policy is now in the hands of the parks department, following a fittingly wild hearing last Thursday, which saw opposing factions accuse each other of falsifying signatures on an online petition.

Seems opponents of codifying "unofficial" off-leash hours produced a petition with over 4,000 allegedly fraudulent signatures - which they reportedly accused pro-off-leashers of generating in an attempt to render the entire petition invalid. Anti-off-leashers have also implied that pro-off-leashers stacked their own petition with fictitious names. All of which begs the question: Does anyone really pay attention to online petitions?

Meanwhile, a much more civilized discussion is taking place on the subject of dog poop, and the fines inherent upon the act of not scooping same. In other words, most randomly approached New Yorkers seem to agree that increasing the fine for leaving a dog's leavings - from $100 to $250 - is a fine idea. This is a good thing, since Mayor Bloomberg supports the hike and will make it law regardless.

Graphic: NY Post

(Don't Step) On It

Since winter seems to have finally arrived, it's a good time to reconsider what the cold means to our animal companions. In addition to (what should be) obvious advice - i.e. don't lock your dog in the garage with an idling automobile - Steve Dale tells us that small dogs, as well as some larger ones, should wear sweaters when outdoors in freezing temperatures (no word on kimonos). Dale even suggests doggy booties to protect feet from frostbite and street salt. As for felines, again with the obvious: "Of course, life is safer and far more comfortable indoors for cats" - a tip echoed by the ASPCA.

And as Con Ed gets a smack from the state (and a smooch from the mayor) for last summer's blackout, let us not forget the deadly "stray voltage" plague of last winter, which claimed the life of Barkis. If for no other reason than the incompetence of our local utility, maybe those booties are a good idea.

Photo: Tamara Hey