The Weekly Carnage: July 6 & July 13, 2026
Names, images and stories of 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, 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 ACC 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 gaps in ACC 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 with a rescue, or you’re an NYC ACC volunteer, and would like to contribute images of exterminated cats and dogs — or tell us about your experience working with ACC — please contact The Scoop New York. 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: Email 1, 2
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
Chiquita [255734]: 7 years old; killed June 27. Chiquita, an owner surrender, was “a sweet cat who might need a little time to adjust to her new home.” At ACC, she was calm, allowed all petting, leaning in for cheek rubs and gave gentle head butts.
On intake, ACC noted she was healthy and possibly pregnant so they prioritized her to be spayed, killing the kittens. Chiquita was nauseous the next day, stopped eating, and three days later had a severe upper respiratory infection.
ACC wrote, “She needs supportive care in a veterinary clinic in order to recover.” Apparently ill-equipped, or unwilling, to give her the supportive care she needed at the shelter, they killed Chiquita on day 17.
Carmelo [253718]: 5 years old; killed June 28. Carmelo’s human passed away and his extended family surrendered him due to housing issues; he had lived with them most of his life. They said he was affectionate and friendly with children, dogs, and strangers; loved bath time, car rides, and playing tug. On intake, he was friendly and relaxed with staff, jumping up playfully.
By the next day, things had changed. A volunteer said, “He has been very scared at the shelter, keeping his space from people.” He did, however do well in his dog/dog greet, remaining loose and wiggly. The volunteer added, “He has started to warm up significantly though, nudging into people to remind them to give him another snack … The shelter is no place for him to relax and come out of his shell.”
ACC certainly wasn’t; they killed Carmelo on day 32.
Roxy [255220]: 1 year old; killed June 28. Roxy, a stray, was an exuberant, jumpy, mouthy puppy and that got her killed on day 37. Easily leashed and eager to get out of her kennel, good on walks, seeking pets and treats, cooperative with handlers, she was labeled as having a low threshold for arousal. In other words, she was killed for being a puppy.
Onix [241803]: 2 years old; killed June 28. Onix had lived with three kids and was described as a friendly and affectionate dog, which he proved to be at ACC as well. On intake to ACC, found stray, he greeted staff with a wiggly body and a wagging tail. But that wouldn’t be his only stay. He was at ACC three times in less than a year, each time reclaimed until his third and final stay.
A volunteer said, “By no fault of his own, he has been found stray and reclaimed numerous times. But each time he resurfaces with us, once for each of the last three seasons, fall, winter and spring, I recognize his endearing face immediately. Mr. Congeniality with that big smile and each time I learn something new about him. On this visit, we discover his LOVE for the water. Running through the stream, having the time of his life.”
ACC killed Onix on day 32.
Tyrion Rexford [255298]: 2 years old; killed June 28. Tyrion Rexford, a stray, was very friendly during his medical exam, a wigglebutt who remained in ACC’s own words “a highly social and affectionate pup.” A networker, who promotes dogs on social media to help find them a home wrote: “Let me tell you a story about Tyrion Rexford. It is a story of neglect by NYC ACC. Tyrion Rexford sat in a cage for 25 days, no one paid him any attention. We had to beg for photos. ACC gave us photos, the day they decided to Kill List him …NYC ACC has the nerve to tell you he gets aroused, mounting handlers; then they tell you he is highly social and affectionate. Well the arousal is a lack of proper care at NYC ACC, always using drugs in place of proper exercise, enrichment and networking him for a home … This Tyrion Rexford, he is beautiful. He is friendly, social, active, healthy and looking for a home.”
When ACC put Tyrion Rexford on their At Risk of euthanasia list, they wrote in the memo that is supposed to explain why they will kill him: “Tyrion has begun to show signs of stress while in our care. He has been observed to flip and pull the drain cover up and move it into the kennel.” Lifting the drain cover in his kennel was surely a behavioral problem that would go away once he had some other outlet for play. For this, and leash biting, ACC increased his dosage of Trazodone and Clonidine “to the maximum range” and killed him 5 days later, on day 37.
Smoke [254765]: 2 years old; killed June 30. Smoke was found with another dog ACC named Stack. Smoke, although big, was underweight for his size and had a wound on his lip. A volunteer wrote, “Between them, there are 200 pounds of dog that were left tied up in front of a police station in mid May together. While similar in look — huge with cropped ears — the two boys are different in many ways.
“Smoke is fearful. He seems like he wants to disappear, but 97 pounds doesn’t make for easily hiding. He approaches us cautiously as we toss treats in his direction, careful not to pressure him too much. He eats the fallen treats, each time stepping backwards away from us, turning his head shyly. Over time, he starts checking us out a bit more bravely, even leaning forward to sniff our shoes. Big shy boys have my whole heart, and I adore Smoke and can only imagine the giant sweet cuddle bug he will be when he is able to relax in a good home.
“Smoke and Stack were tied up together by the same person. But Stack’s microchip leads to someone who rehomed him on Facebook about 5 months ago with another female dog. They believe the recipient intended to breed them and failed, but the female dog was not found with this duo.”
Smoke was shy and cooperative, which even ACC admitted. They put Smoke on the At Risk of euthanasia list due to “fearful behavior toward unfamiliar people during an adoption interaction, including hard barking, backing away, increasing distance from the unfamiliar person, and remaining difficult to refocus away due to his intense reaction. Smoke’s discomfort was significant enough that the interaction was discontinued. Smoke is able to be handled by familiar staff slowly, loves to participate in enrichment sessions. Medically, Smoke is apparently healthy.”
They killed Smoke, an adoptable, healthy dog on day 45, after subjecting him to alteration surgery shortly after his arrival.
Big Paw Paw [257464]: 3 years old; killed July 1. Big Paw Paw, a stray came to ACC fairly relaxed, but quickly became fearful, stuck in a kennel surrounded by barking dogs. Virtually ignored by ACC, they took only two blurry photos and made just two notes on him, a week apart, to report that he was highly dog reactive. When they killed Big Paw Paw on day 14 he was sick with CIRDC.
Oreo [255907]: 4 years old; killed July 1. Oreo, as you can see in his video had an epic head tilt. A volunteer wrote, “Spending time with Oreo is always a joy. This sweet soul arrived at the shelter scared, very underweight, and hungry, but still ready to make friends with everyone in his path. Oreo was found as stray by police officers, who say he was sweet and friendly and allowed all handling. On walks, he’s confident and eager to explore, checking in with us and happily accepting all the treats on offer; he displays no reactivity to passing dogs.
‘We don’t know much about his past, though it seems like life, at least recently, has not treated Oreo kindly, based on how skinny he arrived. But he acts like he knows tomorrow is a new day: He’s not letting his past define him, and he’s ready for his new chapter! He’s been known to lean into us for all the scritches and we think he will thrive in the safety and comfort of a loving home.”
On intake ACC wrote that Oreo was scared but seemed sweet. He did well in his dog/dog greet, was easily leashed and walked. Oreo was gaining weight, but was still noted to be underweight when ACC killed him on day 33.
Evander [255497]: 2 years old; killed July 1. “Everyone agrees he’s phenomenal in every way,” a volunteer said. Evander was a stray and someone named him Evander for his bitten ears. He arrived emaciated with skin lesions and a poor body condition. As the many volunteers who loved him, noted often, he was in rough shape.
When Evander first came to ACC, another volunteer wrote, “He’s a teeny bit shy at first but as sweet as can be: easy to leash, a slow steady walker with a very loose leash and very affectionate. He loves treats and takes them gently with a soft mouth, is responsive to his handler, and enjoys being pet, leaning into you from time to time. What a lovely boy.”
One volunteer noted, “He’s got everything going for him! He wants to play with everyone, which sure is fun to watch. Dogs on either side of the fence get play bows and every trick he can think of to entice them to interact with him; humans get the same amount of affection exhibited with his bouncy, playful affection. The comments on his walking log are some of the best we’ve ever seen.”
Housed in a crate the whole time he was at ACC because of overcrowding, Evander grew stressed, barking in his crate. One day after a walk, where he had walked nicely alongside a handler carrying a plushie, and waiting in the hall to go back into his crate, he bit the handler’s sweater, ripping it. Though he did not make contact with skin, Evander was put on the At Risk of euthanasia list.
“This is heartbreaking,” said another volunteer who had written that spending time with him was an excellent way to start the day and also that he would benefit from medical attention. “Evander is now only available through ACC New Hope partner rescue because of an incident at the shelter.” The “incident” got the much-loved Evander killed on day 35. After his death, the volunteer wrote, “RIP. Run free. I was so proud of you when you earned smiles and a “Nice dog” at the park. You carried your toys so nicely. I’m so sorry.”
Camila [257375]: 2 years old; killed July 2. Camila lived happily with two kids and a dog. Affectionate and playful with all, she loved stuff toys and comfy couches, also balls and frisbees. Unbelievably, her family went on vacation and dumped her at ACC.
At ACC she was social and easily leashed at first, walked past barking and growling dogs with no reaction, but then became very scared and shut down. Reluctant to leave her kennel, now reduced to a barking and growling dog herself, ACC killed Camila day 17 when she was sick with CIRDC.
Meloni [243059]: 4 years old; killed July 2. Shy Meloni, sweet and gentle, agreed those who knew her, was returned to ACC from adoption due to anxiety when left at home alone. On intake to ACC she hid under a chair but was receptive to treats and allowed petting. Her owner said, “she is smart and very protective, good with children.”
A volunteer wrote, “She can initially be timid but seems to have overcome most of her fearfulness and is always up for a walk. Meloni’s tail may start tucked into her body at the outset, and she may check in with you for reassurance but the longer we walk, the more relaxed she and her tail seem to get. Meloni is alert on her sniffaris and loves to sniff and explore, and she’s quite affectionate when she’s comfortable.”
Later, another volunteer said, Meloni “has the cutest, most soulful eyes, has incredible leash manners, is so cuddly and lovable” Least anxious when she was outside on walks, Meloni remained nervous when inside her kennel and alone. For this, ACC killed “the cutest, most gentle little pup” on day 55.
Payso [257447]: 3 years old; killed July 5. On arrival, Payso, ACC said, “appears shut down, timid, whale-eyed.” In his kennel, he never barked or growled; he trembled and flinched. His owner reported bites at home, had Payso carted off by the police, and left no notes on him. Payso had no chance at ACC, where they took just one picture and killed him on day 20.
Ducky [255903]: 2 years old; killed July 5. Ducky, a stray, was exuberant and highly social with staff and handlers from the start. He had hope in his heart. He was happy to explore, play enrichment games, and engage with anyone who would pay attention to him. But he didn’t want to go back in his kennel, pancaking and biting the leash in protest. For this, ACC killed Ducky on day 37.
Ice Age [254993]: 2 years old; killed July 6. Ice Age’s family was also in a shelter. Ice Age lived happily with kids and they said he was friendly with all – kids, strangers, and dogs. ACC agreed that Ice Age, a gentle boy, was social with handlers and readily engaged with people. Once there, he quickly became very sick with pneumonia, not eating, and ill for weeks.
ACC killed Ice Age on day 48 because he was “deteriorating in the kennel environment and has been observed biting at the kennel bars in an attempt to reach staff members’ fingers. In one instance, he made contact with a staff member’s nail but did not break the skin.” Was that it? Or was he desperate for human contact?
ACC’s last note on June 30 sheds some light. “Ice Age,” they wrote, “is sitting at the front of his kennel, facing away from the door. The handler removes his kennel blocker and he gets up and faces the front. He lip licks three times. He takes treats. The handler crouches down and offers him their hand to sniff through the bars and he licks it and begins to wag his tail with a loose body. The interaction is ended.” Ice Age isn’t facing the door—I suppose that’s a strike against him—because there is nothing to see; they blocked his view. And this is how good dogs die at ACC, alone, licking someone’s hand through the kennel bars and that small interaction that will quickly end — their allotted “enrichment” for the day — is enough to spark some hope of kindness. Or in the case of contact with a fingernail, get them killed.
Sunflower [254286]: 7 years old; killed July 6. Sunflower’s owner was arrested and he was left behind in an empty apartment. Or possibly his owner was hospitalized; ACC’s records say both. On intake, Sunflower jumped socially for attention and remained loose bodied. He did well enough in his dog/dog greet, remaining neutral bodied with a high wagging tail. But soon ACC reported that he was highly dog reactive when inside the shelter and they started medicating him.
Sunflower was kill listed after he bit a handler’s thumb. They were using a treat to lure him through the leash so it could have been accidental. Doesn’t matter. When even a small nip occurs, ACC typically cuts off what must be the highlight of the pup’s day: visits and longer leisurely walks by volunteers. ACC’s last note on Sunflower reflects the isolation dogs may feel under such circumstances: “Sunflower is at the front of the kennel with a soft body and wagging tail. Handler crouches down at the front of the kennel and feeds Sunflower treats through the kennel. Handler has him sit and he sits down, presenting with a soft face and body and a fast wagging tail. Sunflower is left with more treats and the interaction is ended.” Reading ACC notes on the dogs, their “the interaction is ended” phrase quickly becomes haunting.
ACC killed Sunflower on day 49.
Pops Sanchez [219556]: 5 years old; killed July 7. Pops Sanchez was loved but he had a hard life. In the year before he came to ACC, he spent 6 months living in a small car with his human and another dog. Then it seems (though not entirely clear) a new human, possibly related to or a friend of his previous owner, helped Pops by moving him to a kennel with outdoor space. This guardian worked with a trainer to help relieve Pop’s anxiety and said, “He went from an anxious dog living in the back of a car who would bark and lunge at strangers to a calm and playful dog … His trainer got him to the point of being non-reactive towards other dogs and humans on walks, and calm and happy playing most of the day.” Pops loved playing outside.
Pops Sanchez finally felt safe. Then he landed in ACC again — he had been there years before — due to housing insecurity (again) and understandably became very afraid. How did ACC respond? They neutered Pops just a week after intake. Neutered him but took just one picture and only made two brief “enrichment” notes on him during the month he was there. ACC neutered a dog they obviously had given up on as soon as he walked in the door. They killed Pops Sanchez on day 33.
Pikachu [165161]: 5 years old; killed July 8. Pikachu’s owner adopted him from ACC three years before but no longer had time for a dog they described as friendly with all and well behaved. He was underweight.
On intake, ACC noted that he was tolerant with staff but anxious about leaving his owner. They made only two brief notes on him on the days after he arrived. From those we learn that he was easily leashed and fearful. There are no notes on him on for the next 13 days. They killed Pikachu on day 16.
Fortunately, we have a video made by a volunteer, which shows a relaxed, affectionate dog during his first stay at ACC. They say, “Back in 2023, the words Friendly. Outgoing. Relaxed. Playful. Gentle. Soft. They were heard over and over whenever anyone mentioned PIKACHU. And it’s not just because he looks like a big stuffed toy with his adorable ears and his fluffy soft fur. He’s beautiful inside and out! Found as a stray, he stayed with his finder for a day and was a more than welcome guest. While there he played happily and gently with his finder and their four children! He impressed everyone with his good behavior, his housetraining skills, and his affectionate, cuddly personality. At the shelter he has been understandably overwhelmed. The Care Center is jam packed with other dogs right now, and he is all alone in his little kennel listening to the din. Still, he is trying to be brave.”
What happened during those last 13 days when they didn’t make even a single note about Pikachu? It’s as if they disappeared him.
Renee [257642]: 5 years old; killed July 8. Renee, a stray, was afraid of all the dogs at ACC; who knows what she had been through? Cooperative, often loose and wiggly with a wagging tail, she was nervous in new situations. As you can see in her video she was eager for up close attention and affection. They killed Renee on day 20. She was still sick with CIRDC.
Atlas Axel [255891]: 2 years old; killed July 9. Atlas Axel, a very cute stray Rottie, was found abandoned in a basement soaked in urine. He was scared —as many big dogs are at a shelter. He found comfort in toys and grew more relaxed in the play yard and on walks. Easily leashed, he didn’t want to go back in. Who would?
Despite medicating him for anxiety and fear, they planned on neutering Atlas Axel but cancelled when he caught CIRDC. After being put on Department of Health hold for a bite at ACC, which was believed to have been a nip, he was marked “no placement” and given a kill command. He could not be saved. Atlas Axel was killed on day 41.
Prince Khan [255761]: 1 year old; killed July 9. Prince Khan lived with a child and a cat. Due to his human’s health and Prince Khan’s size, they could no longer care for him. On intake, he greeted everyone playfully and allowed all handling. At ACC, he leaned in for pets and rolled over for belly rubs, jumped into laps and nudged staff for head rubs.
“It’s hard to appreciate Prince Khan’s size until you meet him in real life,” said a volunteer. “He’s a solid 86 pounds, a big tall boy, but also a young one. Only a year old, he is perhaps unaware he is no longer puppy sized. He plays with reckless abandon, slapping a tennis ball to then watch it roll around the yard and pouncing on it as it does. At one point he loses track of it all together, looking around Tom and Jerry style only to find it beneath him. He takes a rest by putting all 86 pounds on our laps, and eventually just laying at our feet reveling in a belly rub.
“The obvious thing here is that shelter life is not easy for a large, young, energetic dog. And Prince Khan is proof of this. While he’s able to get some energy out with us and relax at our feet, his daily life in the shelter doesn’t include regular breaks from his kennel to move his body. He’s frustrated and biting the leash and it’s led to him only being able to be walked by select staff members.”
Surely, big healthy puppies shouldn’t be killed just because a shelter in one of the most affluent cities in the world couldn’t give him “regular breaks” to get outside of his kennel to play? ACC killed Prince Khan on day 42.
Dragon Tales [258276]: 5 years old; killed July 11. Dragon Tales, an underweight stray with pyoderma, was killed on day 15. He was nervous and defensive around other dogs at ACC, and for that he was killed. Never mind that he walked calmly beside his handlers, checked in with them, and passed people without issue. On one occasion, he was brought into a room and jumped onto the handler’s lap and began to whine. Wrong move? They don’t like a sad, scared dog whining? After a couple minutes the handler returned him to his kennel.
Rocco [256413]: 4 years old; killed July 11. Rocco’s family had housing issues. He lived happily with an infant, other dogs and cats. They said, “Rocco is very affectionate and loving. He helped me through very tough times, staying by my side. Rocco has a silly personality. His smile is everything and I love our naps together.” Rocco’s favorite toy was a squeaky ball.
At ACC, Rocco was just flat out scared, probably grieving, definitely flailing. ACC killed Rocco on day 20.
Rain [254047]: 4 years old; killed July 11. When Rain came to ACC she had severe, deep and infected lacerations and bite wounds, too many to count, on her face, ears and neck—requiring emergency surgery. One ear was split in two and later required surgery to repair. Her fur was dirty and malodorous. Rain was reportedly found tied up to and fighting with another dog, but her wounds were four to five days old. ACC flagged Rain for cruelty. During her medical treatment she was cautious initially but quickly warmed up, wagging her tail and seeking attention.
Rain proved to be remarkably resilient. A volunteer said, “In spite of her name, I think you may never know a rainy day again with her in your life….She’s been hanging out with the veterinary staff ever since [surgery] but she’s healing well and ready for a home!
“I met Rain shortly after her arrival, with fresh stitches in her ears. We took care not to touch her swelling ears but she greeted us with smiles and draped herself over our laps. I think she was happy to be out in the sun with new friends. Each time I’ve seen Rain since, if I’m tending to another dog in a neighboring kennel she woofs at me until I pay her the attention she deserves and pay up for my grave mistake of ignoring her with a treat offering. I love her sweet face and sassy boots so much!”
Rain was spayed 17 days before she was killed on day 64. Who’s cruel now?
