Tracy Anderson's Poodles Accused of Attacking Neighbor in Hamptons

A 76-year-old Sag Harbor resident alleges that two of celebrity fitness guru Tracy Anderson's Standard Poodles escaped their yard on the night of August 9 and attacked her, leaving her with severe bite wounds.

Monica Enders told the Daily Mail that she was taking out her trash when she was confronted by Anderson's three poodles. Enders stated that the dogs "had me surrounded" before one, described as apricot-colored, darted forward and bit her calf.

"I knew immediately it was bad," Enders said.

Following the alleged attack, the dogs reportedly fled back through a hole in the fence and hedges onto Anderson's property. Enders, bleeding profusely, collapsed on a nearby sidewalk, where an employee of Anderson's property caretaker assisted her in calling 911. First responders found Enders with two deep puncture wounds on her left calf.

Anderson, 51, who was not home at the time of the incident but returned to check on the neighbor, told authorities she was unaware of how the dogs had escaped. The dogs, identified as River, Gigi, and Mando, were already inside the home when she arrived.

East Hampton Animal Control investigators were unable to examine the dogs as Anderson and her husband, Christopher Asplundh, left town with their pets the day after the attack. Initially, Animal Control considered a "Dangerous Dog Hearing" but decided not to pursue it because Enders could not initially identify which of the three dogs had bitten her.

Four days after the incident, Enders provided a written statement identifying the apricot-colored dog, River, as the one that bit her. The other two dogs, Gigi and Mando, are cream-colored.

Anderson initially told investigators that she was not the owner of the dogs, directing responsibility to her husband, Christopher Asplundh, citing vet records being in his name. Asplundh was subsequently charged on September 8 with six violations for the animals being unleashed and unlicensed, as New York State law requires all dogs over four months old to be licensed.

Anderson reportedly stated she was unaware of dog licensing requirements and asked how to comply.

Enders reported that prior to the incident, the poodles were contained by a hedgerow and a deteriorated stockade fence. Workers were observed installing a wire fence around the perimeter the day after the alleged attack.

Edward Burke, the couple's attorney, stated that Anderson and Asplundh were "deeply heartbroken" by the incident and that their priority is the neighbor's recovery. Burke explained the dogs became startled and ran through a "hidden hole in the neighbor's fence that was entirely obscured from our clients' view." He added that Asplundh secured the animals, and the couple took immediate action to repair the fence and remove the dogs from the area.

Enders retained an attorney, though it remains unclear if she intends to file a lawsuit. She stated she is still recovering from her injuries but has not lost her affection for dogs.