We have posted many times about the Robert Scarano-designed building at Bond and Carroll Streets that we call the Bunker, but this scary story isn’t about the building or its design or the slow progress on the structure. It is about a GL reader who wrote to say that she and her husband and their dogs were attacked by the building’s guard dogs, who escaped from the premises and came after them on Bond Street. One the dogs was mauled badly enough to require surgery. Here is her story:
I’m a Carroll Gardens resident, and I’m very disturbed by the operations taking place around 342 Bond Street. Last night around 8:00 pm two very large attack dogs escaped from this lot and attacked my husband and our two dogs (one of my dogs needed surgery as a result). We contacted the police, who were familiar with the attack dogs and their owners. I am disgusted that the companies responsible for this lot have hired attack dogs in the first place, although I realize this is perfectly legal. However, I’m very upset that they do not adequately supervise the dogs, allowing them to escape and attack innocent bystanders. These companies should be held responsible for everything they bring into our community — including the attack dogs.
I’m not sure who to blame for this, but I know “K9 Powerhouse Kennels” provided the attack dogs (their sign is clearly posted on the fence). A company called “Double M Demolition, Inc.” also posted a sign at the construction site, so I assume they hired the attack dogs? Regardless, the members of our community have a right to know this is happening…..and a right to know that companies are endangering our safety. Fortunately my dogs’ and my husband’s lives were spared, but who’s to say this won’t happen again — and who’s to say that next time it won’t be a child? Shame on these companies. Carroll Gardens is a wonderful place to live, and I want to keep it that way.
The little dog who was attacked is named Cappy, and was in the BARC Parade in Williamsburg dressed as Captain Brooklyn. The victim later reported that she spoke with the owner of the attack dog company:
I spoke with Angelo Biondo today (he’s the owner of K9 Powerhouse Kennels). He thinks that Con Edison had been at the worksite and “dug a hole” but “they didn’t tell anyone”….so the worksite was left open, and that’s how the attack dogs escaped. Of course, his only response was “I’m really sorry” and “You’ll have to get in touch with the contractors.” I talked to the ASPCA Law Enforcement Department, and they said K9 Powerhouse Kennels are responsible for the dogs.
Cappy will recover from the awful and scary attack. The building, by the way, has attracted 36 complaints, although they have been for more run-of-the-mill problems like illegal work rather than savage dogs menacing passersby on the street.
25 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 5:47 am
This is an outrage. Those poor neglected dogs living in that dirty construction site. Probably half starved. No wonder they attacked outside their enclosure. I am so sorry for those people and their little dogs..and shame on that guard dog company for their shallow indifference. Get an electric fence, Scarano, we don’t want to climb around your sites any more than we want to live in them. Guard Dogs. give me a break..I hear them snarling and growling when I walk by.
2 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 6:23 am
i know u wont print this. why is there so much hate on this blog with all ur articles are always negative. regarding the dogs accidents happen .im happy people are building in the area so we should be able to have more people in the area then all those ugly garages all around .so all of u calm down and lets be positive.
3 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 6:30 am
So – besides from police – to file the complaint…Why not a call to a lawyer already?
4 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 6:33 am
Did anyone say anything about not building? I don’t think so. But those of us who live, work, or walk by these construction do expect the developers to comply with the law and to ensure the safety of the site. Next time, 9:23, it might you who is hit with falling debris or comes face to face with an escaped attack dog. Then how will you feel?
Ultimately, the owner of the property is responsible. This wasn’t an accident – it was negligence.
5 Jay // Mar 19, 2008 at 7:03 am
9:23 or Shill for Scarano. I live by this and I have to say the construction site has been a mess and the workmanship shoddy. I simply relieved that these dogs haven’t attacked me or my dog yet. The developer and contractor should be sued for this as it is negligence. And as for the building it’s a POS and I hope this economic downswing means that none of these units sell and Scarano closes up shop.
6 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 7:10 am
to jay why u so hatefull.the site has been very clean . i live there and there is no problems .i cant understand why ur so hatefull. chill out.
7 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 7:21 am
My wife and I and our 11 month old son also met a very unhappy and large Rottweiller right in front of that building. A man on a cell phone warned us about it just as we noticed the dog. When he saw us he lowered his head and began to walk slowly in our direction–I told my wife not to panic, just walk the other way calmly. He lost interest in us. A cop car arrived a minute later. Apparently, it’s not that rare of an occurence around there. which sucks.
8 Jay // Mar 19, 2008 at 7:23 am
very clean? you must be thinking of a different building. Go look at any construction site in Manhattan to see how clean most of them are. They don’t leave piles of trash and debris on the street. For years this thing loomed over the neighborhood with no work going on. It seemed like the masons just dropped their blocks and grout on the sidewalk and took off for two years.
It is also an outrage that the owner is too cheap to hire a full time security guard. I suppose it is cheaper let dogs freeze and starve so you can save a few bucks.
9 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 8:39 am
I love how someone clearly tied to the developer keeps posting messages saying “chill out” and “let’s be positive.”
Anyway, I don’t normally say this, but this is not a “complain on blog” situation. The people attacked should be on the phone with a LAWYER. Let him or her figure out who to contact.
10 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 9:22 am
to the last post .why do u think whoever doesnt agree with u is connected to the developer.that shows that u are full of hate so just chill out and stop ur venom. and not everyone has to agree with u .
11 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 9:28 am
The couple is working with a lawyer. They wanted to share their story so others know what is going on in the neighborhood with the hope that future attacks might be prevented.
12 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 9:35 am
Is the dog writing the “chill out” posts?
13 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 11:12 am
its all scarano’s fault exactly. i cant believe i still read these comments, i must be an idiot as well. as far as your dog, that is awful and i am sorry, whomever is responsible for the dogs (not scarano) should keep them safe. If those dogs are there, i’m sure there were put there in the first place because of crazy people who hate scarano.
14 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 11:36 am
2:12 — Say what? The dogs are there to guard the site because people steal from contruction sites all the time. The prices of scrap metal are high, and there’s good money to be made off stolen pipes and such.
You are partly right. It is the developer’s responsibility (not the architect’s) to make sure those dogs are SECURELY inside the site at ALL times.
I thank the people whose dog was attacked for publicizing this story. I walk by this corner nearly every day with my child on our way to her school. I never imagined such a threat. I will certainly avoid the corner until the dog situation is resolved.
Best wishes to them, and happy settlement.
15 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 1:39 pm
What you all might want to do is call the city humane society in to check on the status of the guard dogs,if these dogs are being abused in any way the owner can be arrested!An d the dogs can be taken!
16 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 2:12 pm
To mr. “chill out”. I hope the next time the guard dog gets out, it bites your weanie off. Then we will see who chills out, that is assuming you are a he.
17 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 2:42 pm
to the last poster . why u so angry .why u cursing . u should calm down . u might get a heart attack ..and by the way ur a nasty person for cursing another human being . shame on u
18 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Those buildings are a blight. Almost as bad as the garages, only th garages have a bit more character, which is more than I can say about Mr. “all of u calm down.” The issue isn’t development, we want development that takes into account the scope of the neighborhood and the health of the neighborhood. Besides how many “more people” do we need “in the area anyway?”
19 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Thanks for sharing your story – I’m outraged that this happened – thanks for the warning –
What’s with all the hate stuff? This is a citizen trying to make the rest of us aware of a dangerous situation.
20 Anonymous // Mar 19, 2008 at 4:30 pm
dus the chill out dude no how to write full wourds or is he jus an idiot buggin u out.
Yes call a lawyer. I am sorry, I hope the dogs both guard and not are ok.
21 max // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:54 am
sa a k9 trainer and handler i say the dogs should have a handler with them at all times a sign is no good on its own
22 Anonymous // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:46 am
hi u all
i spoke with a worker at the site and he sadi that he thinks there was an atempted break in, someone tried to go in to steal the aluminum or copper pipes and the went under the fence ans broke the plywood that is there to hoold back the dogs. and then he ran out when he heard the dogs barking.
i guess this is tragic to have that doh hurt so. but i love the neighborhood and i know aot of people that live there and the comment on this blog does NOT reflect the type of people that live there.
i guess there are always a few people who look to just hate anything they disagree with. but i was taught to live and let live. and can disgaree with others opinions in a manner that befits mankind and not hate
love people we need to love everyone
free love
23 Anonymous // Mar 20, 2008 at 6:37 am
Yes, I think the protection agency or the contractor could be held liable…
but it is stupid to rant about the architect in this case. It sounds shrill and foolish.
24 Obi // Mar 23, 2008 at 7:54 pm
“Attack Dogs”? Is this the Middle Ages?
25 Todd // Apr 23, 2008 at 10:22 pm
She used the words “attack dogs” 6 times in the story. Come on! Sorry you got attacked but these are “guard dogs” or just “dogs” – characterizing them as “attack” dogs makes you sound hysterical. These dogs are there to protect property, not attack people. They are just as much victims here, so no need to be calling them names.