Exclusive | Dog attack at buzzy NYC bakery Birdee sparks debate about pooches in restaurants

Ruff crowd! 

New York City officials are investigating a buzzy new Brooklyn bakery that’s brazenly curbing local health laws by welcoming packs of non-service dogs inside — after one pampered pooch allegedly bit a customer.

Brooklyn resident Daniel Griffin told health department officials he was bitten inside the cafe by a cross Corgi on Dec. 20 at Birdee — a popular Williamsburg bakery peddling $15 sandwiches and Instagrammable pastries.

“I was just having a bite to eat,” Griffin, 29, told The Post, noting that he passed a barking Corgi sitting with another dog and two humans, while he was getting napkins.

“As I walked by, it bit my leg. I initially didn’t really think much of it – and the owner was very apologetic – but I didn’t think to get her information or anything.”

Once home, Griffin saw that the bite had broken his skin and immediately consulted an emergency room doctor.

The doctor assured him that there hadn’t been a report of rabies in a dog in New York City for over 60 years, but encouraged him to file a report with the city just in case.

Meanwhile, the owner of the establishment – which is decked out in dog-themed decor and touts dog-themed brand collaborations on social media – reportedly didn’t answer Griffin when he reached out, he said.

Multiple requests for comment from The Post were also not returned.

“This incident was reported to the NYC Health Department and is under investigation,” a health department rep confirmed.

“New Yorkers can call 311 to report dog bites or make a report on the Health Department website. Dogs, other than service animals, are not allowed in restaurants.”

Birdee, which opened last April, has not yet had an official health department inspection.

Non-service animals are not allowed inside restaurants in order to “prevent unsanitary conditions that can cause a food safety issue,” according to the city website.

“If a dog is in a food establishment but is not a service dog, it is a health code violation.”

Management is allowed to ask if a dog is a service dog and what task the dog performs, but cannot ask for proof of disability or a service animal’s certification.

Several locals rallied behind Griffin online after he posted about his experience on Reddit, with one user blasting Birdee as a “dog park with pastries.”

“THIS is one reason why dogs aren’t allowed in restaurants,” the user wrote, referring to the alleged bite. 

“Restaurants need to enforce the rules rather than lay down for dog owners. I don’t even enjoy going to Birdee anymore.”

Another customer griped about there being too many dogs in the bakery.

“Was there just the other day and three separate dogs sitting by the table area,” the customer wrote on Reddit. 

“This was inevitable,” yet another chimed in, “they let anyone bring their dog in there to dine in and eat.”

A Post analysis of complaint data shows that at least two animal-related restaurant complaints were called into 311 at Birdee. A Dec. 20 complaint remains open, while another from September has been closed.

A whopping 107 complaints of pets inside food establishments were filed in Williamsburg’s Community Board 1 since Jan.1, 2025.

The highest number of complaints since last year came from the Bedford Avenue Whole Foods, according to city data, with multiple other complaints made at Land to Sea and Variety Coffee Roasters, among others.

Brazen pet owners have been dining with their dogs since before the pandemic, but Griffin argues he’s been seeing an increase of post-pandemic pooches pawing around grocery stores, restaurants and other cafes in the hipster neighborhood.

“I feel like there are dogs all the time, especially in Birdee,” Griffin said. 

“In Williamsburg in particular, people should take a little bit more personal accountability of their dogs – especially if they’re aggressive in public areas – because it has gotten out of hand.”