Upper East Side dog lovers are saying goodbye to a French bookstore that is relocating after the shopkeeper’s German shepherds attacked several smaller dogs, leading to the death of a toy poodle. Despite the bookstore moving to the West Village, tensions remain high between residents whose pets were attacked and the shop owner, Lynda Hudson. Legal battles are ongoing between Hudson and at least one pet owner, with a small claims court date set for the near future.
The bookstore shut its Upper East Side location in February, but its sister café is expected to remain open. Residents express relief that Hudson is leaving, with one pet owner stating that they do not believe she has learned her lesson or shown any remorse for the attacks. The controversy surrounding the bookstore intensified after a New York Times article revealed the attacks on four dogs, including one that resulted in the death of a small collie mix.
Another dog attack occurred later, involving two small pups that were injured by Hudson’s German shepherds. Pet owners in the neighborhood, including Laurie Davis, are glad to see the bookstore departing but are concerned about the café remaining on the block. Davis hopes that Hudson’s dogs will not be brought to the West Village location when it opens. Hudson claims that the decision to leave the Upper East Side was not related to the dog attacks but rather due to economic reasons stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hudson denies responsibility for the death of the toy poodle and disputes the need for euthanasia, despite the toy poodle suffering a broken spine in the attack. She also denies any plan to bring her dogs to the new location and asserts that she has not brought them out since the last attack. Meanwhile, pet owners affected by the attacks are seeking legal recourse to recover costs associated with medical bills and specialized care for their injured dogs. Davis filed a lawsuit against Hudson, who has refused to pay for dog-sitting services and has been accused of being greedy and dishonest.
The ongoing animosity between the pet owners and Hudson reflects a deep divide in the community, with residents expressing relief that the bookstore is leaving but frustration over the lack of accountability from the shop owner. Despite Hudson’s claims that the closure was unrelated to the dog attacks, the incidents have left a lasting impact on the neighborhood and its residents. The legal battles and emotional strain resulting from the attacks serve as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities of pet owners and the consequences of negligence in handling aggressive animals. The departure of the French bookstore marks the end of a turbulent chapter for the Upper East Side community and a reminder of the importance of pet safety and accountability.
