The city parks department plans to crack down on New Yorkers who abandon animals in green spaces across the five boroughs, citing the alligator that died after it was left in the Prospect Park Lake last year as evidence the problem has grown out of control.
Parks officials on Friday published a slate of proposed changes to city rules that would authorize $1,000 fines for anyone who abandons an animal in a park. It’s a rule that’s already in place at the state level, but officials wrote in a notice the change would allow the city’s parks enforcement officers to “write summonses for such behavior and ultimately help decrease the number of animals abandoned in parks.”
The notice references last year’s alligator fiasco as an “example of behavior that happens all too often: pet owners, other individuals (including well-meaning individuals), pest control companies, and other companies release or relocate unwanted animals — exotic or otherwise — into parks.”
Prospect Park Alliance president Morgan Monaco said she supports the proposed rule changes, which also increases the fines the parks department is allowed to issue for illegal dumping from $1,000 to at least $5,000.
“We are home to Brooklyn’s only lake and last remaining forest, which are important wildlife habitats for more than 250 species of birds and other fauna,” said Monaco. “When animals are released in the park that are not adapted to survive in the wild and not native to our habitats, not only do they not survive, but they can harm the wildlife that does depend on the park for habitat.”
Another example of a non-native animal unable to survive in New York City was Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl who captivated New Yorkers after he was freed by vandals from the Central Park Zoo last year until he died in February. An autopsy found the majestic bird crashed into a Manhattan building after ingesting a rat that had poison in its system.
Parks officials also said the proposed rule changes go much further than protecting animals, saying their plans to increase fines for illegal dumping in parks would help clean up green spaces across the city.
“Illegal dumping creates unsightly and unsanitary conditions which NYC Parks works hard to discourage through public education and enforcement,” Assistant Parks Commissioner Asha Harris wrote in a statement. “These rules seek to deter would-be offenders, while underscoring the culture of respect and stewardship which make our parks safe and keep New Yorkers connected to one another.”
The parks department proposal calls for a $10,000 fine against anyone busted for illegal dumping twice in a 12-month period. The city plans to hold a hearing on the proposed rule changes next month.