Crown Heights woman calls for greater accountability after alleged dog attack
Lesley Steele says she was walking her dog near St. Mark's Playground when what began as a routine outing quickly turned traumatic.
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A Crown Heights woman says a dog attack left both her and her pet injured, raising questions about how dog owners should be held accountable when attacks occur.
Lesley Steele says she was walking her dog near St. Mark's Playground when what began as a routine outing quickly turned traumatic.
"I felt invisible," said Steele. "I was bleeding and my hand was shaking because I was in shock."
According to Steele, two dogs suddenly charged at her and her dog unprovoked, as they exited an apartment building near the playground.
"Immediately after this door opened, her dogs charged at me. First they got my leg and then went for my dog," she said. "It felt like so long for her to come get them."
Steele alleges the owner of the dogs did little to intervene during the attack and did not remain at the scene afterward.
"This whole time I'm asking her to just give me your name and number," Steele said. "And she's refused and she's just ignoring me as if I don't exist, as if I'm a bleeding ghost. This was not humane."
Steele says the woman eventually got into a car and drove away, leaving her without contact information or information about the dogs' medical history.
As a result, Steele says she has been forced to undergo a series of medical treatments while also caring for her injured pet.
With no medical insurance, her bills are already piling up, which is why she's turning to her community for help.
"I have to do rabies shots for two weeks. Antibiotics for two weeks. I had to do a tetanus shot on site," she said. "I have an open wound in my hand. I have to go to the vet for my dog. She got bitten up too, and she's been limping ever since."
While dog attacks can lead to civil liability, criminal liability in New York generally applies only in limited circumstances, including situations where a dog has already been declared dangerous by a court and an owner then negligently allows the animal to cause serious injury.
For Steele, that has led to broader questions about whether current laws go far enough.
"This was a hit-and-run situation," she said. "We have hit-and-runs with cars, but let's say there's an aggressive attack from an animal and the person flees in their car. I feel like there are not enough laws because there's no coverage here for something like that."
She hopes sharing her experience will encourage responsible pet ownership and greater accountability when incidents occur.
Steele says she filed a police report, but police have not provided any information to News 12.
Her message to dog owners is to take responsibility and treat others with the same compassion and care you would hope to receive.
Officials say residents should call 911 immediately if a dog attack is actively occurring, poses an ongoing threat or results in severe, life-threatening injuries.
Regardless of the severity of the incident, residents should also contact 311 within 24 hours to file a report.
