In 2016, new regulations about dogs taking the subway were made very clear by the New York City Transit Authority. They informed city residents that all dogs, except service dogs, must fit into a carrier or bag to ride the rails. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) probably though people with big dogs would just leave their furry friends at home, but that was not what happened. Instead, New Yorkers started to get really creative with how they’d follow the rule, and the results are adorably hilarious.
Dog Owners Had The Best Responses To The New York Subway Banning Pets That Don’t Fit Into Bags
An Unattended Bag
Suspicious packages and unattended bags regularly cause delays in the subway system in New York City, but we think the subway inspectors didn’t really expect to see this very cute unattended bag! We’re pretty sure someone was there to accompany this dog (most likely the owner who took this picture). This precious pooch sure is looking fancy with their bandana and it appears to be a Shiba Inu, a Japanese dog breed. The Japanese word ‘Inu’ means dog, while ‘Shiba’ means brushwood, which is a type of shrub or tree whose leaves turn red during the fall season. This is one truly adorable red-furred riding pup!
An Unattended Bag
Technically Abiding By The Rules
This is definitely one handsome ‘lil fella and his name, Guybrush Threepwood Schumacher-Moore, sure is a mouthful. However, we don’t think he minds, and apparently, he doesn’t allow his long name or public transportation rules to stop him from living the best life. Here you can see him in his tote bag technically abiding by the rules of the New York subway during his morning commute. He was adopted by Zanna Schumacher and Benjamin Andrew Moore in 2011. “We landed on that name (after days of deliberation) because it was unique and funny and because Guybrush, the pit bull, reminded us of Guybrush, the computer game character, in that they were both very goofy and lanky and weird,” explained Benjamin Andrew Moore. He’s talking about the video game Monkey Island.
Technically Abiding By The Rules
The Yellow Line Guard Dog
It looks like this adorable little hound dog is guarding the yellow guard line of the subway, making sure that nobody gets too close to the approaching trains. Beagles are scent hounds with an excellent sense of smell and great tracking instincts, making this dog perfect for guarding the yellow line. What’s more, beagles are the preferred breed when it comes to employing detection dogs for prohibited agricultural imports. Beagles have been in existence since around 2,500 years ago, and people started developing the modern breed in Great Britain in the 1830s. It’s clear to see that these dogs are quite adaptable and employable.
The Yellow Line Guard Dog
A Husky Bag
This photo was snapped and later posted on Twitter by Alex Romano, a digital media strategist, while the train passed through Queens back in July 2016. As you can see, the other passengers don’t look bothered or the least bit interested in this Husky bag, probably because it’s New York City and stranger things can be seen on the subway daily.
A Husky Bag
Canine Backpacker
We love the fact that the woman wearing a green coat is just standing next to the hitchhiking fur baby without even batting an eyelash. Perhaps she hadn’t noticed the fluffy dog in front of her, which makes us wonder – just who were the dogs on the subway bothering prior to the new rules coming into play?
Canine Backpacker
A Pampered Life
Even after this dog exited the subway, he apparently didn’t mind being carried all the way to his luxury apartment. There are just some dogs that are big and lazy, and for the pooch that is perpetually in a pampered life, this bag is made for them. It’s also possible that this man giving this giant dog a lift simply wanted a fashion statement and thought strapping a 50-pound pup to his back would do the trick. Sounds comfortable… at least, for the dog, but it can’t be for the human, who may have found it to be quite a workout despite not going to the gym.
A Pampered Life
Pit Bull In A Pouch
This pit bull appears pretty content riding the train inside a sling tote, and it seems that this snuggled dog could not escape the lulling effect that moving vehicles have on their passengers. What’s surprising about the subway rule requiring dogs to be placed in a “container” or carrier is that that there’s no mention of muzzles or leashes. Clever New York dog owners interpreted the rules and came up with ideas like this one, enabling them to take their furry friends with them to various places.
Pit Bull In A Pouch
Monster Pup
The fact that the dog appears larger than the person carrying it makes this photo even more hilarious. It seems that this man also has his hands full carrying two other suitcases, along with the cute fuzzy pup hanging on his back, so hopefully, he knows a good chiropractor. However, we do question those zippers’ strength since it appears to be slowly opening, and we hope this fluff face has been strapped in tight since it seems as if they’re still going on a long journey. This human will definitely need a break – one that’s long-deserved – once they get to where they’re going.
Monster Pup
The Clown Dog
It looks like this French Bulldog is smiling ear to ear while being strapped to his dad’s back, very much ready to explore and have a great time in the Big Apple. This dog breed is sometimes called a “Clown Dog” or “Frog Dog” because of the splayed way they sit and their wide facial features. By nature, French Bulldogs are really calm, making them great for human companionship, and because of their small stature, they are especially good for apartment dwellers. This dog breed also rarely barks unless they want to draw attention to a thing that they believe is important. It sounds like they are perfect for taking public transportation.
The Clown Dog
Multi-Purpose Bag
We all know that we can bring our own bag to IKEA, but have you tried bringing the signature blue bag on the subway? This guy did and he brought the iconic multi-purpose life-saver Frakta bag on the New York subway as a carrier for this Chocolate Labrador. Looking at this photo, we wonder if this guy carried this pooch on the train or he just slipped the doggo in the bag after he seated himself on the train. Nevertheless, this dog was bagged, so technically, no rules were broken when the picture was snapped.
Multi-Purpose Bag
The DIY Spirit
IKEA’s DIY spirit might have inspired this woman to get really creative and work around the subway rule on dogs. You don’t need a lot of tools to cut out leg-holes on an IKEA bag to convert it to the perfect and stealth subway dog carrier. New Yorkers are some of the world’s most ingenious people and they certainly know how to get around the rules. For this subway-riding woman, she wasn’t going to strain herself by carrying her huge dog on the subway, and for this pooch, it actually looks quite pleased to be in the situation it is in.
The DIY Spirit
Dog And Tote
It may not look like Bella, this little Border Collie, is having fun here, but her owner has attested that she loves getting in this subway bag and on the train. This photo was snapped by another passenger, who posted it to Reddit, where it immediately went viral. Bella’s owner said that she uses an L.L. Bean ‘Boat and Tote’ bag, which is the perfect size for Bella, to tote the dog around. This cutie is actually a rescue dog, and the results of a DNA test indicate that she is a Border Collie mixed with some Chow Chow.
Dog And Tote
Get Creative
This is another example of someone technically not breaking any subway rules in New York City. As you can see, the pup is in a bag, but for the woman, it’s too big to carry – the dog and the petite woman probably weigh the same! Nevertheless, nothing can stop this woman from bringing her furry friend with her to places she wants to go to, and she isn’t going to get a ticket for doing it either. The New York spirit is like that – when life’s rules are bringing you down, you get creative and make sure you stick it back to them.
Get Creative
The Preferred Method
There seems to be a pattern here – people choosing to transport their large dogs in large blue IKEA bags on the subway in New York City. Perhaps these people came from IKEA… are they now selling dogs as well? Of course, IKEA doesn’t sell dogs and that was just a joke, but even if they were, you should adopt dogs, not buy. There are a lot of dogs in shelters simply waiting to get adopted, and some shelters even specialize in taking care of specific types of dogs. You can definitely find the specific breed of dog that you want at a shelter and you can carry your new furry friend home in a large bag on the subway.
The Preferred Method
Matching Pair
Because of the ban on dogs if they don’t fit into a bag on the New York subway, preparing for an underground journey may now take a bit more time compared to before. However, adoring onlookers (and apparently, good-spirited commuters) dote on these preparations, and we’re pretty sure this precious Black Labrador and its human received many adoring stares. This adorable duo even match!
Matching Pair
All Smiles
Don’t you think that is one happy pug? Compared to many other New York City dog owners, the owner of this little smiley pug has it easy when it comes to carrying around the small dog on the journey. His excited facial expression makes it all the more merrier!
All Smiles
Sleepy Pup
This sleepy little guy is all worn out from what is most likely a long day with its human at the office. In this picture, the pup can be seen nodding off peacefully in his tote bag on the subway. This Cavalier King Charles Spaniel seems to be showing some royally good behavior. In US households, the Cavalier King is ranked the 19th most liked breed of dog and is known to be a really friendly type of dog, often thinking all humans are friends.
Sleepy Pup
The Upside Down Pup
The photogenic Corgi certainly knows how to work the camera, despite being upside down. The Welsh word Corgi means “dwarf dog,” referring to their small stature, and it is known that Queen Elizabeth II loves this breed of dog, having owned many Corgis throughout her lifetime.
The Upside Down Pup
The Sideways Pup
This gorgeous white Husky with piercing blue eyes seems to be a little confused as to why he was swaddled like a baby and being schlepped around the subway. However, it doesn’t seem like he minds that much. Who doesn’t like being carried around in dad’s arms?
The Sideways Pup
The Pup In A Pouch
This white fluff ball in a tote bag is poignantly looking at the camera while being carried by its owner, but we have one really important question about this – how did all the fluff fit inside this bag?! Judging by the size of its head, this is one large dog, though the size of the tote suggests otherwise.
The Pup In A Pouch
Small Dogs Can Do It Too
In case you didn’t know, it is common knowledge that Chihuahuas are temperamental. Smaller dogs are more common in New York City because of space limitations in the busy Big Apple. They are more suited for riding the subway and apartment life, but as what we have seen, owners of larger dogs haven’t been deterred from taking their pooch on the subway either.
Small Dogs Can Do It Too
On The Lookout
This man proves that if there’s a will, there’s definitely a way. Just look at him carrying his massive dog in his backpack and you will see that no subway rule is about to stop him from bringing along his trusted sidekick and furry friend on the train. Instagram user @looningaround posted this photo on April 1st, 2016, and the dog seems to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback. These dogs are considered great hunting dogs and guard dogs, which makes sense judging by the way he appears to be on the lookout here.
On The Lookout
Pop-Up Pup
This tiny Shih Tzu has absolutely no problem fitting into a bag since this breed of dog only ever weighs 9-16 pounds when fully grown. They are considered a toy dog breed, and we can see how much fun it would be to travel around with this little cutie pie. Their exact origin may be unknown, but it is believed that this breed originally came from the Tibetan Plateau. Its name ‘Shih Tzu’ is actually derived from a Chinese word that means ‘lion’ because this dog was bred to look like “the lion, as depicted in traditional oriental art.”
Pop-Up Pup
BabyBjorn-style
This dog seems to be really enjoying hanging off his human in BabyBjorn-style while waiting for the train to arrive. There must be a lot of struggle fitting this really large dog in a bag such as this on your own. It’s a good thing that this dog has a leash on since he looks quite ready to run at any moment!
BabyBjorn-style
Spotted On The Train
This good dog and her owner made sure to follow the subway rules for animals. As you can see, this freckled-faced pooch seems really interested in what’s happening on the floor next to her, or it could be that she’s simply waiting for her stop.
Spotted On The Train
45 Pounder
Jackiegreaney posted this adorable photo of her pup on Instagram with the caption, “XL LLbean Tote: How a 45 pound black Lab rides the New York City subway”. A friend asked how she got the dog into the tote and she responded saying, “We just pick her up and put her in! She knows it means she gets to go somewhere so she cooperates.”
45 Pounder
Completely Content
Dad’s happy, I’m happy. This little pup looks quite content to be going to work with his dad. We’re not sure he’ll stay this size forever so subway rides may be ending quite soon! Better enjoy them while you can!
Completely Content
Test Run
You wouldn’t bring your dog onto the subway in an Ikea bag without doing a test-run first, right? Reddit user ZeroTransPat did a trial with her adorable pup and decided to share it with the caption, “I trained my dog to go into an Ikea bag, can I bring her on the train now?” We think this pup is ready for her public transportation debut!
Test Run
Pretty In Pink
If you’re going to ride, then at least ride in style! This adorable dog has the right idea with her pink and red striped canvas carrier. Who could ever turn down a face like that? Definitely not the train conductor!
Pretty In Pink
Life Is Good
The new regulation for public transit may have made a number of pet owners grumble, but from what we’ve seen, many people have had dogged determination to live life as usual – pooch in tow and all. This dog’s smile screams, “life is good”!
Life Is Good
Pretty In Plaid
Some dog owners go for specialized bags made for carrying dogs, but this dog owner just chose to carry his large doggo around in a reusable grocery bag. No judgment here because it seems to work, and as long as this pup travels safely without breaking the rules of the New York City subway, then that’s all that matters.
Pretty In Plaid
Smiling From Ear To Ear
This pooch looks like he’s really enjoying watching people on the subway in New York City, and we can’t really blame him since the subway is actually a great place for people watching. What’s more, this dog seems super comfortable in this custom doggy backpack.
Smiling From Ear To Ear
Keep Your Eyes To Yourself
This little hitchhiker’s expression makes it look like he had just been caught doing something that he wasn’t supposed to do, or perhaps this look is saying, ‘Why are you taking my photo without asking permission first?’
Keep Your Eyes To Yourself
Multi-tasking
This little pup’s mom thought she had a better chance of getting little Ruby on the subway if she was disguised underneath a TJMaxx shopping bag. It looks like her smart thinking did the trick, and Ruby looks quite content, as well!
Multi-tasking
“I Love My Mommy”
If your dog isn’t a big fan of public transit, just hold them close and don’t let go. This adorable husky looks happy to be in his mom’s arms, but we’re not sure how she’s fairing, he’s probably quite heavy…we hope they didn’t have too many stops to go!
“I Love My Mommy”
Wink Wink
In 2017, when they started implementing the rule requiring pets to be in carriers, around 70,000 summonses were issued by the transit system of New York City for transit violations all over the city. It’s a surprise that only 85 of the summonses issued were due to animal violations. How could someone give this little guy a ticket??
Wink Wink
Off To The Airport
You can now go backpacking with your furry canine friend with the new dog backpack. It is so much better than any other kind of hands-free canine carrier available on the subway system, so say goodbye to the yoga mat. These two are more than ready, and on their way to the airport…safe travels!
Off To The Airport
I Get A Seat Too
Hopefully, this really happy dog-toter got some help from whoever took this photo, this dog looks quite heavy! Unless of course, the photographer was a total stranger… in which case, we hope they asked for permission prior to snapping a photo of these two happy travelers.
I Get A Seat Too
Popular Pup
If you have a pretty large dog that is less suited for sitting on laps and more suited for pulling sleighs, then you’re going to need some muscle…and a larger bag. This subway-goer appears to have no issues carrying his Siberian Husky in quite a big canvas bag, and the dog looks like he’s having a blast as well.
Popular Pup
Squished Pup
When you’re on the subway with mom and you don’t have to walk the 2 miles home, you deal with the circumstances, no matter how uncomfortable. This pup took the situation like a champ, no matter how squished his face was getting!
Squished Pup
Sleeping Pup
We’re not sure the reason he’s snoozing so peacefully, it could be boredom and not fatigue affecting this subway-riding pooch, but at least this pair got to go where they needed to go together. And the pooch got to take a quick cat nap!
Sleeping Pup
Little Dogs Count Too
According to regulation, non-service dogs have to be placed in a carrier or some kind of bag on the subway in New York City, and that includes emotional support animals. For those who don’t know, emotional support animals are different from service animals in a way that they don’t receive specific training but still provide comfort or support to a person that has a psychological disability. We’re pretty sure this pleasant-looking pup could lift the spirits of the people it encounters.
Little Dogs Count Too
Spaceship Pup
This has to be the coolest, most out of this world (lol), dog carrier we’ve ever seen. This pup looks like he’s flying to outer space in his very own custom spacesuit. We’ll have you know, he was only traveling to work!
Spaceship Pup
Travelin’ Pup
When you don’t have a dog carrier or Ikea bag on hand, you need to get creative. This guy decided to pull out his work suitcase and use it to transport old Ralphie across the city. Hey, if it works!
Travelin’ Pup
Just Another Day At The Office
Studies show that roughly one in seven New York City households own at least one dog, which means there are around 425,000 dogs all over the five boroughs of the city. Thus, you are likely to see a lot of dogs riding the subway around town. Some with adorable faces like this one!
Just Another Day At The Office