A pit bull named Tyrus is described by the New York Post as being "The Bitch of West 72nd St." and a 'Hell Hound.' Neighbors of the dog's owner at the former Olcott Hotel on the Upper West Side say that Tyrus is a menace who runs wild, poops in the hall and mauls other pets.
Residents of The Olcott's 7th floor said that instead of walking Tyrus, his owners simply let the dog run loose outside the apartment, where he defecates and urinates in the hallway. Tyrus is owned by W.A. Flagg, a 78-year-old holdover resident before the building went condo. He shares apartment 708 with 38-year-old Charles Lee, who is the son of Flagg's late housekeeper (Flagg took them in years ago when the Lees were homeless).
Elisa Schindler and her boyfriend said they were returning to their apartment with their Pomeranians Pumpkin, Sugarplum, and Marshmallow when Tyrus lunged at them. He knocked Schindler down and proceeded to maul four-pound Pumpkin, who survived, but required a hundred stitches. Schindler said that the attack left the hall spattered with Pumpkin's blood and fur. Other residents have had similar run-ins and fear for small children in the building.
The condo board is suing Flagg for $90,000 and would like him evicted. Lee, who was wearing just a towel when he answered the door to a Post reporter, says this is all just a ruse to get he and Flagg thrown out of the building because they don't fit in with the newer residents. Units at the Olcott sell for several million dollars (see the current listings here).
