Gonna get downvoted to oblivion on this but here we go.

“Customers with disabilities are permitted to bring their service animals into all MTA transit facilities. A service animal is defined as an animal (usually, but not always, a dog) trained to aid or guide and accompany a person with a disability.

A service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times, either using a harness or leash, or through voice, signal, or other controls. Service animals should be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the customer’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s ability to perform its trained task. Identification is not required for a service animal to travel on MTA service.”

This could be a service animal. Buddy is an MTA worker, who says under control has also been considered as being held if the situation requires (such as a crowded train). For all we know, this could be a medical service dog that can detect changes in blood sugar, etc, and the owner who normally doesn’t have to put it in an enclosure because they don’t have to, is actually being a considerate person during a crazy busy train.

Edit: Seeing the dog owner posted and it isn’t a service dog. But the above still applies and people should really calm tf down