Tag: Chuck Schumer

Allowing Dogs on Doorless NYC Helicopter Tours Is a Truly Terrible Idea

 

Last year, five passengers taking a FlyNYON tour over New York City were killed when the helicopter they were riding in crashed into the East River.

FlyNYON, which is facing lawsuits and federal investigations over that accident, is still in business. It offers “doors-off” flights so that passengers can dangle their feet and legs 1,000 feet above the ground for super awesome, super Instagrammable photo opportunities.

Now FlyNYON is apparently trying to drum up more business by allowing dogs on its sightseeing helicopter flights.

This is a terrible idea for at least a couple of reasons. One is that the helicopter doesn’t have doors, so it seems like it could be possible for an extremely stressed-out dog to squirm out of their harness and owner’s lap, and jump out. Why would that dog be so stressed out? Because of the loud noise and the fact that the dog is 1,000 up in the air in a doorless helicopter. Frankly, I’d be terrified, too.

FlyNYON is “flying dogs high above New York, offering thrill-seekers the chance to dangle their feet — and now their pet — above city buildings, bridges, waters and more,” Sen. Chuck Schumer said at a news conference today, NBC New York reports.

Schumer, Sen. Bob Menendez, the Humane Society of the United States and PETA are all urging FlyNYON to stop these dangerous flights. Schumer also called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to look into a “loophole allowing doors-off [flights] to remain operational in the first place.”

It’s extremely disappointing that FlyNYON has what it calls a “special partnership” with the nonprofit Pilots N Paws. Volunteer pilots with this organization provide transportation for animals so they can be rescued and adopted. How on earth could they be on board with the awful idea of allowing pet dogs on doors-off helicopter flights? There are much safer and more humane ways to raise funds.

A FlyNYON spokesperson insisted in a statement that the company is “fully compliant with all FAA operating and safety standards.”

But, as Schumer said, to allow dogs on its flights “is a sheer jaw-drop.” He said the same company involved in last year’s fatal crash is now “strapping in dogs for people to snap pictures of while the animals all but dangle high above New York skies, experiencing the sound of the rotors and who knows what other cruel things.”

The dog-friendly flights are “cruel and inhumane,” according to Brian Shapiro, New York state director for the Humane Society of the United States.

The FlyNYON spokesperson invited Senators Schumer and Menendez  to come to the company’s New Jersey office “and discuss this very important matter.” Hopefully the senators will do just that and convince flyNYON why it’s very important not to allow dogs on their helicopter tours.

Photo: FlyNYON/YouTube screen grab

Congress Votes to Return Military Dogs to US and Reunite Them with Handlers

JUNE 9, 2017 UPDATE: “Meagan Leavey” is now a major motion picture.

NOV. 25, 2015 UPDATE: Today President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law.

On average, every U.S. military working dog saves from 150 to 200 servicemen and women during his career. And what rewards are bestowed upon these heroes when they retire from duty overseas?

None. The sad fact is that they are usually left behind on enemy soil, since these retired working dogs are considered civilians and not permitted on military vehicles. The cost to transport them home is prohibitive.

But working military dogs may no longer have to face this undeserved fate. Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted 71-25 to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a provision that these dogs will be returned by the military to U.S. soil when they retire, and their handlers will have first dibs on adopting them as pets.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer (yes, he’s a second cousin of comedian Amy Schumer) pushed for the bill’s language that allows handlers to adopt the dogs who served alongside them.

“After all we know about treating debilitating post war conditions, like PTSD and other health afflictions, it makes absolute sense to keep service members joined with their service dogs,” Schumer said in a Memorial Day press release. “Here we have a commonsense policy that is good for the animals that give it their all for America — and for the American heroes who love these dogs so dearly.”

Three years ago, Schumer helped Cpl. Meagan Leavey adopt Sgt. Rex, her military working dog. Since Rex was 10 years old at the time and in declining health, Schumer urged the Air Force to expedite the process. All former military working dogs should be able to enjoy a retirement like Leavey gave Rex, Schumer said — one of “love, devotion and gratitude.”

The NDAA provision, supported by the American Humane Association (AHA), was introduced in the House by Rep. Frank LoBiondo and in the Senate by Sen. Claire McCaskill.

“Today, America’s military working dogs are one step closer to being guaranteed treatment as the heroes they are,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, AHA president and CEO, in a press release today.

“We believe all our veterans – two-footed and four-footed – should come back to a hero’s welcome, a loving, forever home, and the happy, healthy, and dignified retirement they so deserve after a lifetime of service to their country,” Dr. Ganzert said.

“That hope is now within sight of becoming a reality.”

Photo credits: The U.S. Army; Cpl. Michelle Brinn

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