14 Pit Bulls Saved From Concourse Blaze

By DAVID GREENE

A worker with Animal Care and Control of New York removes one of 14 pit bulls from a Grand Concourse apartment yesterday. (Photos by David Greene)

Firefighters battling a blaze on the Grand Concourse in Fordham Heights rescued 14 pit bulls that had apparently been living in the sixth-floor apartment. 

Authorities say the fire broke out on the top floor of 2186 Grand Concourse, at just before 3 p.m. on Monday, March 7. Witnesses say some of the dogs were overcome by the smoke and firemen gave several of the animals oxygen. 

Animal Care and Control of New York City reported removing a total of 14 dogs: nine adults, 1 pup and four newborns. An official stated that just one dog was injured in an apparent accident that occurred as the animal was being transported out of the building. That dog suffered a small gash on his noise, but the injury was not serious. 

Building super Brian Rivic was boarding up the heavily damaged apartment. He said the dogs' owner was apparently at work when the fire happened. 

"He has a lot of dogs but he takes care of them," Rivic said of the still-unidentified owner, adding, "He makes a few trips, he walks them in the morning and in the afternoon."

Neighbor Umberto Portuondo, who lives downstairs, said he was aware of the dogs.

Bronx News Roundup, Sept. 16

A suspicious fire that tore through a building in West Farms yesterday, badly injuring an adult and a child, may have been started by a woman who had earlier argued with one of the building's residents.

State Senator's Pedro Esapda, Jr.'s defeat in Tuesday's primary has been grabbing the headlines, for obvious reasons. But there were other, less significant, upsets in the borough, including Mark Escoffery-Bey's victory over district leader Venancio Catala.

Senate Democrats are celebrating Espada's downfall.

When Espada's victorious opponent, Gustavo Rivera, arrives in Albany, he'll likely have favors to repay. 

At a public meeting last night at Hostos Community College, straphangers took turns telling MTA officials exactly what they thought of the proposed fare hikes.

A convicted carjacker will get a new trial after it was determined that a Bronx Supreme Court judge had been verbally abusive towards his lawyer.

The ASPCA believes someone has been poisoning animals in the Woodlawn.  A local resident's dog recently died after possibly eating contaminated food.

Yankees caps, it seems, are often the headwear of choice for bank robbers and other crooks. 

Daly News columnist Michael Daly is glad to see the back of Espada and Hiram Monserrate, but asks: Why on earth did voters re-elect "bums" Ruben Diaz, Sr. and Carl Kruger?   In 2008, the so-called "Gang of Four" refused to caucus with their fellow Democrats, or back then-Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. 

There will be no No. 1 train service for the next two weekends.