NYC-Let Me Get On That Train
By Lizz - Jul 27, 06 Transit Tails
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One day, NYC could be compared to other fine cities like Toronto, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver with their pet-friendly transportation opportunities….
Currently, you can bring small pets in carriers onto most trains, buses, and cabs. You can even pay Pet Taxi or Pet Chauffeur to give your pet a ride.
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The one thing you cannot do…legally…is take a leashed dog onto the MTA trains or buses.

In honor of this law-breakin’ Husky dog, and all the other dogs that wouldn’t exactly squish into a carrier, we support this petition to allow dogs onto city subways. (Of course, we are not referring to dogs that ride the train solo. Nor would we allow the people who don’t clean up after dogs that mistake the train for the bathroom.)
via email:
I’ve started a petition to allow medium/large dogs on the train (the
dogs that don’t fit into carriers). It’s called NYC - Let Me Get On
That Train. There are some suggestions for regulations including
taking the Canine Good Citizen test to be allowed to ride. For more
info please go to:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/384046888You can view and sign the petition on that site.
Thanks for your support!
Thanks, Amanda Soto, for starting this petition!
4 comments so far
Comments:
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Lets think about this clearly, Trains are small confined places. Its bad enough we have to deal with smelly people and over crowding on the train, now you want to make it worst by adding dogs to the train. I don’t see how that’s a good idea. We have enough problems with NYC subways, Lets not add the problems that a dog could add to that list.
Lets consider The thousands of people who are not dog lovers that ride the trains every day. (sorry guys, but not every one is a canine cuddle!!) If some one has an allergy (which a good number of people do) and they get on a train and notice your dog after the door closes, their stuck in a bad situation. They can’t open a window or go to the next car. If that person gets real sick, That could stop the train, Hinder all of the commuters and possibly stop that train line from running all together. IF that person is afraid of dogs,(which a good majority of people are) they could panic and loose it, this yields the same reaction. Trains delayed, commuters delayed, blah blah blah!! Fear breeds stupidity and we have enough of that on the trains. Another example, there are other dogs on the train and they get into a barking match in this tiny little train car! Barking can be loud outside, but can you imagine what it sounds like on a train car? Can you imagine the amount of fear and chaos a dog barking on a packed train could produce. Now I know all owners think that they have their dogs under control and they know their dog Blah blah blah, But you guys seem to forget that Dogs are living creatures with their own minds. If they want to flip out for whatever reason, there’s no amount of petting, doggy treats or commands that will stop them. You could get bit yourself (which has happened to owners all over the world).What if a person whose afraid of dogs is carrying food home. 95% of dogs beg for food by staring at you while you eat. Which means that this person is going to get unwanted attention from your dog!
What most dog owners don’t understand is that they have a potentially dangerous animal on their hands. Granted most dogs are as friendly as santa Claus and go their whole lives with out attacking any one, But it’s that potential to be dangerous that restricts them from places like trains.
ppl have the potential to be dangerous as well what are you trying to say?
my dog is as harmful as a butterfly.
i’ve rode the train numerous times in the past & still to this day, might i add she is less than 11-10 lbs but nonetheless all i get onboard the train are smiles and warmth from fellow passengers.
all you need really, is a muzzle and leash.
i get unwanted attention all the time, on the train and etc. i’d rather a dog stare at me than some pervert or stalker.
while under the owners control, pets should pose no threat to others. mine don’t. there are ways to prevent these kind of situations anyhow..
i think MTA needs to hurry up and allow dogs onboard already.
if anything, dogs can be of some help when riding public transportation.
whether it be sniffing out a suspicious backpack or noticing weird passengers..
all in all, dog’s are man’s best friend and loveable creatures. friendlier than most people out there..and just like NY’s finest, they are here to protect and serve.
I agree! I think dogs should be allowed. I do agree however that some people are allergic and or scared and can cause problems. However I believe that all dogs should be leashed and have a muzzel (just incase dogs can catch a fright as well and some people are just bubble heads!)But when it comes to allergies people can be allergic to perfumes and some people drown themself in that stuff! To makes things organized i think selected carts should be ONLY for dogs such as 1st and Last cart. And just to note your not allowed to eat on train so if my dog is staring at you she telling you to stop eating lol!
I have lived in seven European countries over the past fifteen years. Each has slightly different approach but in all cases the carriage of animals and humans works beautifully. For example, in London and Brighton each conductor has the choice if to accept a dog or two in my case. About four of five accepted my dogs. Now the bus design is such that the driver is separated and safe so they always say yes. In Prague they were obliged to accept dogs but with a muzzle and only one per tram car and always entering and riding at the back of the tram car. If one has family of two dogs that is fine but one must wait for next tram if there is already a dog aboard that car. In Amsterdam one can ride anywhere on the trams. Owners are obliged to keep dogs clean and with a muzzle and well mannered on the train. No one wants a smelly dog brushing up against nice clothes. People with fears of dogs should not have to suffer. But there is a way for us all to be happy and get about town easily. Dogs should never ride the escalators and I’m not as keen on dogs being in subways as I am on buses and long distance trains. If one plans ahead on when to feed and give water and gives the dog an emptying walk before any public transportation ride the dog won’t have accidents. We dog owners are responsible to know when our dogs have gotten old and need to go so often that an accident is possible or probable and then we need to find alternate means of transport. I’ll be very happy to work toward getting this passed if someone is organizing an effort. V. Rogers