The RIOC Column
by Herbert E. Berman
President, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
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With Spring in the air, it is wonderful to be able to leave our homes and once again stroll this beautiful Island. The daffodils are preparing to bloom and the air is warming and invites us outside. You may have also noticed the presence of late of dogs also enjoying a stroll or romp in the grass. Southtown residents are allowed, under the terms of their lease, to have dogs. As this is a small Island, the presence of dogs necessitates the need for some controls to ensure the personal safety of residents and cleanliness of the Island.

RIOC has proposed a dog policy that is modeled on the policy of the City of New York. This draft has been shared for comment with building management. The policy would read as follows:

New York State and New York City animal control laws are intended to safeguard the health and safety of the public. A dog-control policy for Roosevelt Island intends to safeguard the health and safety of Island residents and visitors.

It is the intent of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) to have a policy that is consistent with the regulations of the City and State of New York. As such, it is the policy of RIOC that responsible dog owners on Roosevelt Island will:

. have their dogs actively vaccinated against the disease of rabies and be able to provide proof of such vaccination;

. obtain a license for their dog from the City of New York (New York City Dog License Law, Chapter 115 of the Laws of 1894 as amended);

. attach a dog license tag to the dog's collar when the animal is in a public place (New York City Health Code §161.04);

. hold the dog on a leash no longer than six feet when the dog is in a public place (New York City Health Code §161.05);

. remove their dog's feces from any public areas (New York City Health Code §161.03 and New York Public Health Law §1310); and

. utilize only designated dog walk area(s) for off-leash roaming of their dog.

Once the policy becomes effective, Public Safety Officers will enforce this policy and issue notices of violations to dog owners who are not in compliance.

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