Introducing the emotional support dog that strikes fear in the hearts of the Upper West Side community. This four-legged companion is not one to be trifled with. Despite its role as an emotional support animal, it has gained a reputation for its intimidating presence. The mere sight of this dog is enough to send shivers down the spines of those who cross its path. So, if you happen to come across this furry creature, you might want to think twice before approaching it.
According to a police report, Sam, a 4-year-old rescue, has been accused of biting someone severely enough to require antibiotics. He has also been reported to have attacked tenants, staff, and delivery workers at his owners’ apartment building on W79th St. These allegations have caused concern and have made Sam the subject of an ongoing investigation.
An anonymous PSA has been circulated, cautioning individuals to avoid riding the elevator with him.
On the morning of September 8th, Venafro stepped into the elevator after dropping off his daughter at school. He was accompanied by Inna Fayenson, a tenant in the building and a Harvard-educated attorney, along with her two furry companions – one of them being Sam, a loyal emotional support dog who had been by Fayenson’s side for three years to help her cope with stress and anxiety.
Upon viewing a video obtained by The Post, it was clear that what transpired between the individuals involved was far from friendly or neighborly.
Venafro, who used to have a dog in the city, recounted a frightening experience when she walked into an elevator and was suddenly met with a lunging and snarling dog. The incident left her shaken and reminded her of the importance of responsible pet ownership and training.
As I stood in the elevator, I made sure to keep my distance from the dog that was also in there with me. Our eyes met, and I held his gaze, hoping to prevent any potential aggression. However, as I glanced up to check how much longer I had to ride, the dog suddenly lunged at me, catching me off guard.
As I stood there, the creature suddenly leapt towards me and went straight for my belly button. It was as if he had aimed for a specific spot, as he sunk his teeth into a scar that was a result of my Crohn’s disease surgery from a few years prior.
As the video of the dog attack in Venafro surfaced, it was evident that Columbia journalism graduate and TV producer, who had been embedded in Afghanistan, was in excruciating pain. The clip captured the moment when he doubled over and stumbled out of the elevator, clearly distressed by the attack.
After the incident, he quickly went downstairs to inform the doorman and called the police to report the incident.
According to Venafro, he declined the ambulance and instead opted to visit an urgent care facility. There, he received vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, had his wound thoroughly cleaned, and was prescribed a 10-day course of antibiotics.
According to both a police report and a report from the doctor to the City’s Department of Health, Sam was the focal point.
Venafro expressed that he never anticipated being attacked by a dog without any provocation while he was on his way home. The injuries he sustained were severe, and he continues to receive medical care due to the incident.
According to The Post, Sam’s co-owner, Alan Katz, downplayed the incident, stating that it was not a significant matter. Katz acknowledged that the dog did indeed bite someone.
According to the source, the individual in question required a BandAid along with antibiotics. It wasn’t considered a significant issue as they were not admitted and did not require sutures. The wound was cleaned and they were sent home following treatment.
It appears that his conflict with Sam is not an isolated occurrence.
Following the incident where Venafro was bitten, a note was anonymously slipped under the doors of the apartments in the building. It is worth noting that Venafro denies having anything to do with the note.
The sign on the door read, “Caution: Dogs on Premises.” It was a clear warning to everyone who approached the building. The note went on to explain that these two dogs had a history of attacking people, including tenants, staff, and delivery personnel. The instructions were simple: do not share the elevator with them, and if they are already on the elevator, do not let them on. It was a sobering reminder of the potential danger that could be lurking behind closed doors.
According to a tenant who preferred to remain anonymous due to potential backlash from the building management, “The dog leaped towards me and it was quite frightening.”
“I make it a point to politely inform any woman with a dog who attempts to enter the elevator with me that it is not allowed. To ensure my safety, I keep an iPhone in my hand as a precautionary measure.”
In an interview with The Post, Fayenson refuted claims that Sam and their other dog, Dolce, have attacked anyone in the building, including tenants, staff, and delivery people. She emphasized that both of their dogs have been muzzled ever since the incident with Venafro.
According to her, the altercation with Venafro following the biting incident has only made the already challenging circumstances that Sam is helping her with even more difficult.
According to the woman, her emotional state has been severely affected and she is experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety. She has been relying on her emotional support dog, Sam, for the past three years to help her cope with her conditions. However, the current situation has worsened her symptoms.
According to Katz, it seems that Sam is always on a leash and tends to lunge at other dogs in the building. This behavior is not uncommon among other dogs in the same environment.
Despite being muzzled, the presence of Sam still exuded an air of intimidation. This was evident when a worker shared an elevator ride with Sam and a dog walker in the building.
According to the worker, Sam was growling and tugging on his leash. The dog-walker eventually lost control of Sam and he lunged at the worker, hitting his leg with his muzzle. Despite being muzzled, Sam frantically shook his head back and forth in an attempt to break free and bite the worker.
It seems that the building is not the only place where Sam perpetrates attacks while muzzled.
According to attorney Jeffrey K. Levine, who is best known for representing President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, video footage shows Sam chasing after a man waiting for the M79 crosstown bus. The video was obtained by Venafro’s legal team.
On the 10th of October, while under Katz’s care, the dog managed to slip out of his grip on the leash and aggressively attacked a man.
According to Katz, while he was taking care of their other dog, he accidentally lost his grip on Sam. Despite being muzzled, Sam attempted to attack the man but was unable to do so.
“The man appeared to be frightened, but fortunately, nothing else occurred. I had a conversation with him, expressed my apology, and we continued on our journey.”
According to Katz, the emotional support dog was also affected by the sound of a cart with wheels and became agitated.
According to Venafro’s attorney, Levine, a lawsuit is likely in the works. Venafro himself expressed his frustration, stating that he was out of town when the incident occurred and that the dog had lunged at his son. While he appreciates dogs and grew up with them, he is understandably concerned about the safety of his family and neighbors in their building.
