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
Galloway [259200]: 4 years old; killed August 23. On intake, Galloway, a stray, was friendly, wiggly and rolled over for belly rubs. But because she was reluctant to return to her kennel after her medical exam, they put her on Trazodone. Galloway remained spirited and social during her time at ACC; they said also that she was smart and did very well during training sessions.
ACC wrote in their “at-risk” memo (their excuse for killing a dog) that Galloway had been observed to hard-bark and lunge toward other dogs. Their notes contradict this was an ongoing problem. On one occasion, shortly after she arrived, they report her doing so when she’s in her crate and dogs are passing by. Every other note on her behavior, including during her walks, state that she ignored dogs and on one occasion greeted with a play bow. What’s more, as can be seen in the video above and as seen by volunteers, she was the queen of the playground, a superstar in doggy playgroup.
Living in a pop-up crate, Galloway was always eager to get out and explore. ACC reported her passing out on four different occasions from pulling on the leash. Obviously, a front-clip chest harness would have solved that problem. Instead, they let her choke to the point of passing out.
ACC killed Galloway on day 47.
Lieutenant Limeade [261298]: 3 years old; killed August 23. Lieutenant Limeade, a stray, was very scared, so scared he peed on himself. Trembling and cowering in his kennel, he would hide at the back.
On one occasion, when coming back from a walk, a barking dog startled Lieutenant Limeade and he army-crawled back into the safety of his kennel. He was timid, but brave enough to be coaxed out to go on walks, where with time, he would begin to relax, his body would loosen and sometime he would wag his tail.
The photo above is from one of those occasions. And as you can see in his video, he somehow overcame his fear to experience moments of being a very joyful pup.
ACC killed Lieutenant Limeade on day 24.
Choco Bean [256273]: 2 years old; killed August 23. Choco Bean’s owner, who had him for a year, left him with ACC because he was too “active.” A volunteer wrote, “Choco Bean has quickly become a volunteer favorite. HIs funny little face, big ears, nubby half tail and playful personality are charming beyond belief. He loves to zoom, socialize and play. Choco Bean especially loves to play with the hose — a perfect boy to adopt while it’s still summer so he can participate in your summer fun!”
At ACC he rolled over for belly rubs, leaned in for affection, and liked to snuggle. He also jumped exuberantly too often for their liking and, on occasion, would bite the leash.
Being a volunteer favorite didn’t matter to them. Biting the leash did. ACC killed Choco Bean on day 56.
Rocket [261647]: 9 years old; killed August 24. For nine years, Rocket lived with his family, which included kids, another dog, and two cats — all of whom he lived happily with. He was left with ACC because he nipped (no broken skin) when he was being crated due to a house full of visitors.
On intake, Rocket was found to be underweight with a chronic ear infection. For those trying to save dogs from ACC, his photos, many seeming to show traces of tears, were heartbreaking.
Nervous at ACC and no doubt, bewildered, he was cooperative, easily leashed, and did well on walks. He enjoyed playing fetch and chasing tennis balls.
ACC killed Rocket on day 21, not for anything he’d done there but for unwitnessed alleged behavior at his home.
Goku [257141]: 2 years old; killed August 24. Goku’s family said they had no time for their gentle pup, a softie who greeted them at the door with a toy and wiggles. He was said to be affectionate and playful at home where he lived happily with two dogs. He was anxious when left alone.
At ACC Goku was shy and fearful at first, but soon walking comfortably next to handlers and licking their hands.
Although he remained shy, on occasion his doggie spirit broke free to do zoomies under the hose, as seen in his video.
ACC killed Goku on day 41.
Nutmeg [260864]: 2 years old; killed August 24. Nutmeg’s owner called the police and had him hauled off to ACC when, according to the owner, he bit a finger when being “discliplined.” They left no notes on his life before ACC. Doesn’t seem like it could have been good.
Nutmeg was timid and scared at ACC, not eating much. Sometimes he cowered and flinched but did his best to cooperate. He did well in his dog/dog greet. Sadly, the dog tried to bite him during play.
In the safety of the office, Nutmeg grew more comfortable, approaching people for pets and wagging his tail. They made a really bad video of him there, mostly showing his butt. Seemed like everything was against this young pup, ACC wasn’t about to make it any better.
Dr. Brennen’s vet team killed Nutmeg on day 29.
Mister Simba [262221]: 3 years old; killed August 24. Mister Simba’s owners said he was a playful and affectionate pup and also that he spent most of his time in a crate. At ACC he lived in captivity 23 1/2 hours, 7 days a week, in a kennel, and he really didn’t want to go back in. Obviously, he was fed up with being caged. Certainly, he deserved a better life.
We don’t know much about Mister Simba. All ACC wrote in their notes is the many ways he tried to avoid going into his kennel. His photo, the only photo they took of him, seems to show a beautiful dog defeated.
ACC killed Mister Simba on day 12.
Dolce [262498]: 4 years old; killed August 24. Dolce was killed day 10.
Brought to ACC because of ongoing medical concerns, ACC neutered him to shrink his enlarged prostrate.
After surgery he began vomiting for several days. ACC suspected that he’d ingested a foreign body and needed to have an abdominal exploratory surgery. They put out a call for a rescue organization to provide care, but ended up performing the surgery themselves on the 24th.
According to ACC, “because of the intestinal perforation and ensuing peritonitis,” they killed him. Whether Dolce was put to death during or after surgery is unknown.
Thumpa [262513]: 8 weeks old; killed August 25. Thumpa was brought in with her mom. She had diarrhea and fleas.
After 10 days of letting her languish without adequate medical treatment, ACC put out an alert to rescue organizations to save Thumpa by 3 p.m. the same day. “Not thriving and she needs more care than we can give her,” the “shelter” with the $1.4B contract wrote.
She got interest from a rescue, but it was too late. Thumpa died the same day due to ACC medical neglect.
Apollo [259476]: 1 year old; killed August 25. Apollo’s human surrendered him due to their health. They said he was a loving and playful puppy, a hugger.
At ACC he was shut down with grief after his human left and was hesitant to leave his kennel. Fearful, ACC said he was overwhelmed by barking dogs and sudden sounds.
Once out of the kennel, he became social and affectionate with handlers, leaning in for pets when he felt safe.
Of course ACC did not give him enough time to recover his true self. They killed Apollo on day 18.
Gumball [261312]: 3 years old; killed August 25. Like so many dogs, stray Gumball didn’t want to go back into his kennel, pancaking even at the prospect of going back into the building.
He was social with handlers, but also sick with diarrhea six days after his arrival. ACC waited six additional days — too long — before starting a course of Panacur (for deworming) and a GI diet.
ACC put Gumball on the “at-risk” list the same day they started treatment, so we don’t have any medical records indicating whether he responded to the treatment or continued to be sick, since a dog’s records are published when they are marked “at-risk,” but aren’t updated. Whatever happened during Gumball’s last 12 days at ACC is unknown.
ACC killed Gumball on day 25.
Bambi [262147]: 2 years old; killed August 26. An affectionate long-legged boy with big ears, Bambi was exuberant and always happy to get out of his pop-up crate, extremely reluctant to return.
Found stray, ACC wrote that on intake, Bambi was “super excited, so full of energy and no manners.” Apparently that’s enough to get Team Brennen to bust out the Trazodone — which is indicated for anxiety, not high energy.
Three days later, when it was reported that Bambi was balking on return to his crate, Brennen et al. increased the Trazodone and added Gabapentin.
And that was that. ACC killed Bambi on day 17.
TJ [259762]: 3 years old; killed August 26. TJ lived happily with three kids. His family said he was sweet and affectionate, social with strangers and children.
On intake at ACC, TJ was calm and gentle with all, even leaning into pets with children in the lobby. Two days later, when taken for a medical exam, he was a very frightened dog.
TJ was more relaxed when outside the building. Taken for a walk, when the handler spoke to him, he would go into a sit and wag his tail. Going back into his kennel was torture for TJ. On at least one occasion, once inside, he would throw himself against the walls and screech.
TJ was killed on day 29. It probably would have been sooner. He got an extra week because after ACC put him on kill command, his owner said they would reclaim him. They didn’t. ACC killed TJ the next day.
Buddy [261810]: 1 year old; killed August 27. Buddy, a puppy brought to ACC by the city, was very scared in his crate. By the time of his medical exam the next day he was loose and wiggly.
Buddy’s “at-risk” memo shows how superficial and vague ACC’s excuses for killing can be. They wrote: “Buddy is at risk due to behavioral reasons. While in care, Buddy has been observed to have a low threshold for arousal. Noted to excessively mount and mouth the handler’s leg. He is also observed to fixate on other dogs and pull towards them with a tense body. This behavior is able to be redirected once distance from the dog is increased. With handlers, Buddy will solicit attention and is receptive to treats. Medically, Buddy recently recovered from CIRDC.”
In fact, ACC recorded only one incident of him fixating on other dogs and one incident of him “slightly fixating” — both times easily redirected. On another occasion they wrote that while on a walk, “Buddy is social with handler and looks back frequently for check-ins. He allows petting and leans onto handler’s legs seeking interaction. Buddy will stop and look with interest at other dogs; he is not receptive to treats but disengages quickly by his own. He doesn’t react toward other people passerby. His body remains neutral with relaxed face during the walk. Upon return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Buddy back into his kennel with no issues.”
Ten days later, on August 24, they put Buddy on their “happy cocktail” — Trazodone, Gabapentin, and Clonidine, purportedly meant to treat anxiety but seemingly applied to induce compliance — writing that Buddy had recently been made TDO (Transfer Door Only), meaning he was not allowed out of his kennel for walks or potty breaks.
Meaning Dr. Brennen’s “treatment” for “anxiety” includes sentencing drugged-up puppies to live alone in their own waste with no reprieve.
ACC exterminated puppy Buddy three days into his TDO torture session, 22 days after intake.
Bennie [262082]: 2 years old; killed August 28. Bennie, a girl, was attacked by a dog or dogs, likely more than once.
Bennie had multiple bite wounds —punctures and lacerations — in various stages of healing on her legs, hip, head, and neck. An older wound on her bottom lip was badly infected and necrotic.
ACC noted that on intake Bennie was thrashing and trying to flee, although when they weren’t trying to handle her she timidly approached people for sniffs. They wrote: “Suspect pain and trepidation d/t head injuries related to some behavior observations, notably with leashing.”
Trepidation aside, Bennie was petrified, and with good reason. She did not want to leave the safety of her kennel, although she would cautiously come forward for treats. Flagged for cruelty, Bennie didn’t get any special attention or care from behaviorists trained to help a traumatized abused dog. Based on ACC’s notes, they did almost nothing at all.
Nineteen days after Bennie’s arrival, ACC compounded the cruelty by killing her.
Zeus Caterpillie [262775]: 6 years old; killed August 28. Zeus Caterpillie was found emaciated and tied to a fence.
On intake, he was friendly, soliciting pets, and very wiggly. This despite being sick. He had melena — diarrhea with fresh and digested blood — which is considered a medical emergency. He also had anemia. ACC said they couldn’t give him the care that he needed. What he needed was diagnostics and further care to determine what was causing the melena.
A week later, Zeus also had CIRDC, and his anemia was severe. Having washed their hands of doing more, ACC finally put out a call for help, saying, “We have not been able to identify the source of the blood in his diarrhea. Zeus Caterpillie needs more advanced diagnostics and more individualized care than we can provide in shelter. Zeus has been a very sweet boy for his medical handling and has been eating with a good appetite.” Their medical notes indicated he needed “placement for abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy with internist +/- blood transfusion.”
Two days later, nine days after Zeus Caterpillie came to ACC sick, they killed him. They said it was due to clinical concerns for sepsis, combined with severe anemia and a guarded prognosis.
Whatever excuse happens to present itself.
Proximity [261999]: 2 years old; killed late August. Proximity, found stray, has, for advocates who want to save dogs and cats, become a symbol of many things that are wrong at ACC.
She was a volunteer favorite. One wrote, “I don’t know what to say except: SQUEEEEEEE! This is absolutely the cutest little dumpling ever! She’s 2, 34 Ibs and has been in care about 6 days. She is simply adorable. All she and her tiny legs and button nose — is that a pawprint on her nose? — wanted to do was follow me into the backyard, climb into my lap and hug me every chance she got. So, we sat and cuddled and played and cuddled and played. Absolute adorability.”
Another volunteer wrote, “Proximity is pretty hard to resist. She’s wiggly, excitable, and full of happy energy, especially when she gets attention … She’s still young and has that playful, enthusiastic personality that makes you smile just watching her. She earned a Level-1 behavior rating and is eager to connect, soak up attention, and be part of whatever fun is happening around her.”
It’s not surprising that Proximity was quickly adopted. Nor, unfortunately, is what happened next.
Returned to ACC a week or so later, Proximity was exterminated without being offered for adoption — another silent kill.
ACC has not responded to advocates’ questions about what happened. Proximity was loved. There were at least two people who had offered to adopt her the first time she was at ACC, and would have been happy to save her upon her return.
Of course, ACC is known to kill dogs who have homes waiting, so what they did to Proximity is nothing new.
Some believe something happened at her adopters’ home and she was returned in bad shape. No one knows, which compounds the anguish suffered by New Yorkers who tried to save her.
Which is just how Mayor Mamdani and Speaker Menin want it.
