Piermont Police: Unleashed Dogs a Problem

In the past few weeks, unleashed dogs have proven to be more than a nuisance in Piermont.

Two recent incidents have Piermont Police asking residents to keep their canines tethered. And though village law stipulates leashes—and failure to do so can result in a violation, appearance in Piermont Justice Court and a $250 fine—not everybody is obeying.

"We have a bit of a problem," said Brian Holihan, a detective with the Piermont Police Department.

The first of two serious incidents occurred approximately one month ago on the pier. Two men—both Orangetown residents—had their unleashed dogs assault one another; the owners soon became involved.

"The men almost came to blows," Holihan explained. Police responded to the incident and separated the two men, and neither pursued criminal charges.

The second incident occurred on Piermont's Eerie Trail, and involved residents from Piermont and South Nyack. An untethered dog bounded toward a walker on the trail. Feeling he was threatened, the man pulled out a knife in defense. The man brandished it menacingly, but never used the weapon.

"The common denominator in both situations is an unleashed dog," Holihan said. "What concerns us is that both these incidents escalated quickly."

The two incidents are not anomalies, either—Piermont authorities have been dealing with an increased amounts of complaints, and have been issuing a number of summons, too.

"What we're asking for is people using the parks to abide by village ordinance," Holihan explained. The ordinance notes all dogs be leashed in public areas, and leashes can be no longer than six feet.

"We're asking for a little cooperation," Holihan added. "We don't want a situation where a person or animal gets injured."