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'Dog racism' as luxury apartment building threatens DNA testing residents' pooches to make sure they're the right breed

The board of a plush residence has a list of banned breeds with 'aggressive tendencies' including Maltese and Pomeranians

Dog owners are being asked to prove their breed before being allowed to live in an upmarket NYC apartment building.
Testing: Dog owners are being asked to prove their breed before being allowed to live in an upmarket apartment building (Image: PA)


A luxury apartment board has been accused of 'dog racism' after threatening to DNA test residents' pooches - to make sure they're the right breed.


The board of a plush Upper West Side block in Manhattan, New York, has a list of banned breeds with 'aggressive tendencies' including Maltese and Pomeranians.


Last month it introduced a new policy that requires a vet's signed declaration of the pet's pedigree.

If the breed details are not provided then the board may ask the resident to perform DNA testing, the policy states.

Miniature Pomeranian
Banned Breeds: Pomeranians are among the dogs not allowed in one New York apartment block(Image: Barcroft Media)

That's led to claims of 'doggy discrimination' by owners living in 170 West End Avenue who say it is too intrusive.

The policy states certain breeds “are not permitted to reside in the building based upon documented information regarding their tendency towards aggressiveness,” according to DNA Info.

"If the information is unknown, or uncertain, the board at its sole discretion may require a resident to perform DNA testing."


A dog owner who lives there and wishes to remain nameless told DNA Info: "It’s like dog racism essentially. It’s beyond offensive, it’s intrusive."

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Sylvia Shapiro, a lawyer and the author of the book The New York Co-op Bible said: "Mark my words, there is going to be a lawsuit for dog discrimination.

"The problem with dogs is not the dogs, it’s the owners. There seems to be a lot of irrational people around."

Neither the board’s president Robert Sadin not a representative for the property manager FirstService Residential responded to requests for comment, the website adds.

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