My Additional Commentary on New York Times - The Athletic article was quoted in, "Outside Mets’ Citi Field, fans pay to pose with a dressed-up dog; some say it’s animal abuse"

By Sam Blum-Aug. 13, 2025     https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6549106/2025/08/13/mets-dog-citi-field-animal-abuse-questions/

Christina Shusterich - My additional commentary on the NY Times - The Athletic article, "Outside Mets’ Citi Field, fans pay to pose with a dressed-up dog; some say it’s animal abuse" was quoted in

As a Dog Behavior Expert and Specialist, I am gratified to contribute to this article and help expose how these dogs are forced into being egregiously denied the natural biological imperatives for canine health as well as abusive denial and perversion of normal canine behavior not only biologically but behaviorally. In warm/hot weather a dog does NOT naturally Not seek shade, drinking water, rest and pant as are biological necessities to prevent overheating. Dogs are more susceptible to heat related illness (which can lead to death and organ damage) than humans which is why there is so much information available to owners on keeping our dogs safe in the heat - short walks at the coolest times of day, plenty of drinking water, seeking shade and resting their dogs when needed.

Not only does Norberto Fernandez NOT follow these critical safety measures He actually does the complete OPPOSITE of these long standing protocols for dog safety in making the dog as hot as possible. Clothing including a hat, no access to drinking water and stunningly preventing panting with the dogs mouth closed around a human pipe - panting the absolute critical biological imperative to prevent overheating in canines.

Behaviorally, these dogs display unnatural robotic behavior - they do not display any normal dog behaviors for a minimum of 90 minutes, they DO NOT MOVE AT ALL except to unnatural raise and lower a paw repetitiously, often without even looking at the person (through forced sunglasses)- its is not even an interaction. There are no natural animal movements - they solely sit and raise a paw up and down. They are prevented from even the most minimal normal canine movements of standing, walking and moving.

All of these unnatural behaviors can only happen by physically forcing the dog to stop innate, biologically driven canine behaviors while physically forcing the dog to behave in unnatural ones. Outward physical punishment would likely lose customers

so physical control via remote punishment is effected, in this case likely by the use of a shock collar (hidden behind a bandanna not worn in the typical dog fashion but looped around the neck preventing clear site of what appears to be several collars, a scarf in winter has also been seen). All the innate dogs behaviors unexpressed and those expressed are clear indicators of shock collar/remote punishment use.

It is really well past time (over 16 years!) to stop paying this person for engaging and displaying actual dog abuse, including further scamming the public that he is affiliated with the Mets by forcing Mets clothing on the dogs and standing just outside the legal boundaries of the stadium to waylay Mets fans, which he is absolutely not -“The New York Mets organization is in no way affiliated with this individual and their dog and do not condone their behavior,” the team said in a statement to The Athletic. This person and clear dog abuse needs to finally be stopped.