A video of Jackie Hornung carrying her large white Samoyed dog, Lumi, on the subway has gone viral on TikTok, with one video racking up a whopping 1.4 million views. In the video, Hornung can be seen entering the subway with a large green hiking backpack containing Lumi on her back with his paws on her shoulders and his head sticking out to the side.
@littlebearlumi Replying to @mjaucrame Big dawg. Big backpack 🎒 #fyp #dog #puppy #samoyed #nyc #funnydog ♬ Collide (more sped up) – Justine Skye
When asked why she carries Lumi in a backpack, Hornung explains that dogs must be in bags on the NYC subway. Despite his size, Hornung said the pup is surprisingly light, and he “loves being carried” and is “pretty calm” when sitting in the K9 sports sack. Lumi seems to enjoy touring N.Y.C. and has been seen checking out several iconic landmarks including Grand Central Station, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center on his Instagram page.
The rule that dogs must be in bags on the NYC subway has prompted several people to come up with creative ways to sneak their dogs onto the subway, including some who have put their dogs into an Ikea bag with holes cut out for the dogs’ legs. Other New Yorkers have posted shots of them carrying their dogs in handbags and gym bags.
The Cornell University website notes that New York law states that “No person may bring any animal on or into any conveyance or facility unless enclosed in a container and carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers.” Working dogs with law enforcement or service dogs who have been trained to guide people with disabilities are exempt from this rule. Even people with service dogs must show “proof of affiliation with a professional training school” and that the animal is a licensed service animal.
The NYC subway is not the only place where dogs are subject to strict rules. In many other cities around the world, dogs are required to be on leashes and, in some cases, wear muzzles in public. In Japan, dogs are not allowed on public transportation during rush hour, and they are not allowed to be off-leash in public parks.
However, not all countries have such strict rules for dogs. In France, for example, dogs are allowed to accompany their owners to restaurants, cafes, and shops. In many European countries, dogs are allowed on public transportation, and some countries even have special dog-friendly trains.
Regardless of where you live, it’s important to be aware of the rules and regulations when it comes to dogs in public spaces. While it may be tempting to break the rules to bring your furry friend along, it’s important to consider the safety and comfort of all passengers.
If you’re looking for your own doggie Subway hack, see @littlebearlumi‘s video on how to setup your own backpack!