The Weekly Carnage: August 10, 2026
Names, images and stories of adoptable cats and dogs recently exterminated by Animal Care Centers of New York City.
The Scoop New York is an indie non-profit web site and newsletter covering the movement for a true no-kill New York, from BUF to BK.
We take names. We step on toes. We bring receipts.
NYC ACC KILLS, published by TSNY, enumerates and memorializes adoptable cats and dogs who were nonetheless exterminated by Animal Care Centers of New York City.
Every week, NYC ACC KILLS subscribers receive The Weekly Carnage: bios, photos and videos of adoptable cats and dogs known to be recent ACC victims. Subscribers also get monthly memoriam posts that include ACC data summaries along with an updated compendium of animals whose lives were ended by ACC that month. Videos from current and prior months may also be found on The Scoop New York’s YouTube channel.
For more New York companion animal news, follow NYC ACC KILLS and The Scoop New York on social media.
About NYC ACC KILLS memoriam posts
Like virtually all New York City officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin, NYC ACC staff as a rule do not respond to uncomfortable questions concerning the kill pound they’re responsible for. Information in NYC ACC KILLS memoriam posts, therefore, is drawn from reader tips, records ACC has chosen or is required to make public, and the ACC “at-risk outcomes” list.
As evidenced by its monthly and annual outcome data reports, ACC kills far more cats and dogs than appear on the at-risk list. ACC exterminates many healthy and adoptable cats and dogs without first offering them for adoption. Victims of this practice are known among advocates as “silent kills.”
Under direction from higher-ups including chief DVM Robin Brennen, ACC will often spay or neuter a cat or dog only to exterminate her or him during recovery, or soon after. This practice is known as “spay-neuter-kill.”
Known silent kills and spay-neuter-kill victims are identified as such by NYC ACC KILLS.
Since cats are underrepresented on ACC’s “at-risk outcomes” list, they are also underrepresented here.
Due to ACC obfuscation and gaps in record-keeping, memoriam posts are, sadly, bound to be incomplete. The Scoop New York continually adds names and images of ACC victims to NYC ACC KILLS as we find them. Follow NYC ACC KILLS and The Scoop New York on social media for updates.
If you’re an NYC ACC networker or volunteer and would like to contribute information on exterminated cats and dogs, or share your experience working with ACC, we want to hear from you. Discretion guaranteed.
A note about names: Many animals come to NYC ACC with unknown histories, including their names. In addition, ACC does not always use the name a cat or dog is accustomed to, even if the agency knows what it is. As a result, many animals exterminated by ACC are never properly identified. Unfortunately, for the most part NYC ACC KILLS has only the names provided by ACC, even if those names are incorrect or nonsensical. ACC-assigned names are presented here without quotation marks unless TSNY can confirm an animal was known by a different name when admitted to ACC.
ACC operates under putative supervision by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which endorses the publicly-funded killing of healthy and adoptable cats and dogs at will and with impunity.
CHIEF NYC ACC VETERINARIAN
Robin Brennen, Sr VP Animal Health & Welfare: Email
OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR NYC ACC OVERSIGHT
NYS Ag Commissioner Richard Ball: 518-457-2771; Email
Mayor Zohran Mamdani: Contact form
City Council Speaker Julie Menin: 212-788-7210; Email
Council health chair Lynn Schulman: 212-788-6981; Email
Comptroller Mark Levine: 212-669-3916; Contact forms
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams: 212-669-7250; Email
City Council members: Lookup
Borough presidents: BX; BK; MN; SI; QS
NYC DOH Commissioner Alister Martin: 311; Contact form
NYC DOH ACC minder Corinne Schiff: 646-632-6496; Email
In memoriam
Xhylo [255312]: 3 years old; killed August 3. Xhylo’s family could no longer afford to care for her.
A volunteer writes, “She ‘always remembers her way home’ is one of the saddest owner surrender notes I’ve read in a long time. Many of us have dogs who know which corner to turn and which door belongs to them — their home. Xhylo lost all that a few weeks ago, and at 3 years old her world has been turned upside down. In her original home she was fearful of strangers, and of course that’s continued at the shelter. She moves away from us at times, flinches at surprising noises, and watches everything around her quietly and alertly. Her chocolate brown eyes soften when she finds out about our peanut butter, and her former guardian describes her as a cuddle monster. While we don’t see her cuddle monster side she relaxes into some head scratches.“
Xhylo was timid and often trembling at ACC, but cooperative. She had a bad case of CIRDC, sick for four weeks.
The sad scared eyes of Xhylos and Cobra (also killed and memorialized below) should have saved them. It didn’t. Dr. Robin Brennen’s vet team killed Xhylo on day 72.
George [258644]: 7 years old; killed August 3. George’s human said he was a big cuddle bug who liked to give kisses. At ACC, he was wiggly and wagging, easily leashed, responsive to and walked next to handlers when outside.
Cleaning his ears due to an infection, his owner admits he pushed the tool too deep. George yelped and bit in response.
As volunteers who made his video said, he was sweet, smart, and well-mannered, proud to show off his tricks. Regardless, ACC exterminated George on day 34, using that bite as their excuse to kill a dog who had been both social and cooperative during his time there.
Callie [261011]: 5 years old; killed August 3. Callie was killed by ACC five days after she was found.
A silent kill, Callie was never listed for foster or adoption. There are no available public records after intake to ACC so we know nothing about her.
Dipity [251826]: 6 years old; killed August 5. Dipity, who was found in a park, was a “lovable, dorky hilarious potato,” who stole the hearts of volunteers.
“Dipity is one of those dogs who somehow makes everything he does look adorably hilarious,” said one volunteer. “His funny movements, facial expressions, the way he struts, and his reactions to everything always make me laugh. He is house-trained and a very good walker. Dipity goes about his business without reacting to dogs or people passing by. He is friendly, takes treats gently, and loves being petted. He is definitely not shy about leaning his whole body into you when he wants more affection.” Dipity’s video proves the point.
Another volunteer said Dipity “is a total gem, and the most gentle, loving pup you’ll ever meet. He’s a bit under the weather with a few health issues, including a hind leg limp, but that never seems to stop this wonderful pup from walking with you, hugging you or jumping up and cuddling with you on a backyard bench. Dipity may be the most affectionate, loving pup at the shelter. He is simply magnificent. Please take him home if you think you have enough love to match his in return.”
On borough breaks, day trips outside of ACC with volunteers, Dipity never failed to impress. One said, “Dipity is a very happy boy. He is also the perfect walking buddy. He has great leash manners, is interested and friendly with other dogs without being aggressive, and has a huge smile and a tail that never stops wagging — especially when being offered treats! We walked for hours through the park and he never pulled, never barked, and never chased after any animals. He was so happy to meet other people and soaked up all attention and skritches. After hours of walking, we sat on a bench where he calmly fell asleep for a long time, just happy to have company outside in the shade. He’s a very sweet boy.”
Another borough break volunteer wrote that they “went to the Barking Dog around lunchtime … He got plenty of compliments there for his good behavior and relaxed nature. He loved getting scratches and used any surface (usually me) as a scratching post. Dipity is an amazing, lovable dog who will easily adapt to whatever environment he is in. A GEM!!!”
Because Dipity was at one time listed at risk of “euthanasia” due to his medical condition, we have notes from his medical exams. The amazing Dipity was sick from the start of his stay at ACC. In addition to his limp, he had hematuria — bloody urine — possibly due to an enlarged prostate. After being neutered, which shrinks the prostate, he continued to piss bloody urine for two-plus months. When he was removed from ACC’s at risk list on June 23, public access to his medical notes ended. It’s unclear whether the issue was ever resolved. At one point, they suspected he may have had a tumor.
After many months at ACC, Dipity is reported to have bit someone on July 22 and was placed on hold by for 10 days as required by law. When taken off hold, ACC decided not to list him again for adoption or foster. Instead, they silent-killed Dipity, remembered as “the most affectionate, loving pup at the shelter,” on day 117.
Handyman [260293]: 4 years old; killed August 5. Handyman was found stray. ACC wrote, “Upon intake: Handyman was wonderful! Very polite, social and friendly. He would approach softly for pets and kisses and took treats gently. He laid on his back for belly rubs while waiting in the lobby and knows ‘sit.’ He jumped up for hugs when encouraged. He was easily leashed and allowed all handling.”
Two days later he was made TDO (“transfer door only”) due to incessantly jumping up on handlers, which means he was no longer let out of his kennel for walks, play, or potty breaks. The picture above was the only one they took, an indication of how hard they tried to find him a home.
After five days of being confined to his kennel, they made one note on him: “Handyman is at the back of the kennel sleeping soundly. Handler calls towards him and he remains sleeping in the kennel. Treats are tossed and he opens his eyes. Handyman remains lying down in kennel. A treat is tossed closer to him and he eats the treat. He stares at the handler with a neutral body. The interaction is then ended.”
“The interaction is then ended” may be one of the saddest notes at ACC for many dogs. ACC killed Handyman on day 17 after confining him to his kennel for two weeks.
From The Scoop New York
Grumble [260851]: 3 years old; killed August 5. First, how do you expect to get a dog fostered or adopted when you give them the name “Grumble”?
Grumble, a stray, arrived cooperative, soliciting pets. ACC said he was conflicted. He solicited attention on occasion and also retreated from it. During his behavior assessment they noted he approached several handlers nudging their hand to solicit petting before walking away. He didn’t like his hind end being touched and soon became very scared. ACC all but ignored him and killed the beautiful dog they thoughtlessly saddled with a contemptuous name on day 10.
Maximo [260800]: 3 years old; killed August 5. There is no photo of him. According to our notes, his name was Maximo and he was seized from a home on July 27.
Maximo’s lost and found record didn’t include a photo. Then his lost and found record was removed when ACC killed him nine days later.
Maximo was never listed for foster or adoption, a silent kill.
Flash [258526]: 2 years old; killed August 7. A volunteer writes, “This sweet face, those big bunny ears, and the soft eyes all belong to Flash. He arrived a few weeks ago with a wound on his face and no other information after being dropped off at a police precinct. He’s been timid, shrinking to the back of his kennel with a tucked tail in his early days. But by all accounts he’s warmed well to friends at the shelter, interacting with a wiggly and loose body.”
When Flash arrived, the wound on his face was an inch long, scabbed over and starting to scar. Although scared and trembling at first, he soon became braver. Easily leashed, he did well on walks, was wiggly and solicited pets.
Sixteen days after his arrival a disturbing incident was noted by ACC, “Flash is observed to be tethered to the fence by one ACS handler and has another leash on that is being held by another ACS handler. When the handler initially saw this from across two streets, Flash was still struggling, pulling against the second rope. By the time the handler arrived, he was laying on the ground with blood dripping down his nose and out of his mouth. The ACS handler reported that Flash had been sniffing their leg and knee and that he lunged at them. The handler will approach from the side and baby talk him while loosening up the ropes. He is unresponsive although his eyes are open and he will periodically wag his tail lightly against the ground as the handler speaks to him. A hook is used to loosen up the leashes as one of the leashes is stuck underneath his leg and they are both tight. Once they are loosened he will begin to get up and is coaxed forward. He will walk a few steps and then stops so the handler uses mild leash pressure to guide him forward. He will continue to walk all the way to his kennel, occasionally turning around with a loose and wiggly frame towards the handler. The leash rings are clipped and he is secured safely in kennel.”
In other words, it appears ACC staffers bound a 40-pound dog in ropes that were so tight, so tangled, or both, that he was left prostrate on the ground unable to move and bleeding from his nose and mouth.
And yet, there are no medical records to indicate Flash was examined after this incident. It was after this that ACC began to make notes about him biting the leash (which is really a rope).
Despite the abuse he suffered at the hands of ACC, Flash remained wiggly and social. It didn’t matter. ACC killed Flash on day 40.
Cobra [259421]: 5 years old; killed August 8. Cobra, a very thin stray pup, was timid and fearful. He was never defensive/aggressive, but according to ACC he increasingly became mouthy when stuck in his kennel, biting at hands. Their daily notes back up their claim of biting on just one occasion when he nipped a finger (no broken skin) while being leashed.
Cobra did well on walks, ignoring dogs and passersby, sat for treats. Over time, as he grew more comfortable, he began leaning in for pets.
Cobra was learning to relax, but ACC didn’t give a shy dog the time necessary to feel truly safe. They killed Cobra on day 29.
Bella Dancerella [261568]: 9 years old; killed August 8. Bella Dancerella’s listing said she had medical issues, but didn’t specify what they were.
ACC killed her about five to six days after arrival — a silent kill — without specifying what her medical issues were or why they killed her.
