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 so-called “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, unfortunately, also underrepresented here.
Due to ACC obfuscation and sloppy 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
Sirius [263434]: 2 years old; killed September 27. Sirius, three other dogs, and a cat were found in a home with their deceased owner.
Weighing just 32 pounds, Sirius was severely emaciated, with a body score of 1/9. He had wounds on his muzzle consistent with reports that one of the dogs tried to chew through the door.
A volunteer wrote, “Sirius seems to have received the brunt of the neglect as he arrived extremely emaciated with his spine and ribs poking through and old scarring on his muzzle. He has been housed in the medical wing to receive extra attention and multiple feedings throughout the day. There, he’s put on some weight and started to fill out a bit. He has been social with medical staff but at times becomes overaroused and will bite the leash upon leaving the kennel and returning. With us, he stays focused on treats (to no one’s surprise) as we get him out to the play yard. He’s sweet and calm and grateful for a break from his kennel and some extra food.”
In the month Sirius was at ACC, he put on 12 pounds. ACC killed Sirius on day 34 for biting and pulling on the leash in his kennel.
The cat, Tommie, and the other dogs — Cosmo, Vega, and Atlas — are at ACC. Year-old Atlas was given a kill command on October 6.
Victor [265921]: 2 years old; killed September 28. Victor, a stray, was at ACC only four days when they put him on the “at-risk” of euthanasia list. They did so based solely on the chaos that occurred on the day of his intake. On that day, 45-pound, 2-year-old Victor arrived with a bungee cord as a leash. The handler then put a second leash on him, at which point he began jumping up high and biting the leash. ACC called in a K9 “behavior” handler who lassoed Victor with a third leash and both handlers start to walk him in.
ACC wrote, “As he moves around, the leashes on him become tangled; Victor leash bites again on all three leashes.” Another K9 handler came over with yet another leash. Note that what they call a leash is really a rope. After the fourth leash is on him, ACC said, “Victor begins to growl, even as he still holds on to the other leashes; the first handler tosses treats onto Victor, and he stops leash biting.” As they walk him to his kennel, Victor is no longer leash biting and they muscle him in. ACC wrote, “As all 4 leashes on him are very tangled, the 1st handler uses a hook to remove them. Once the 3 slip leads are off him, another pair of K9 handlers close the kennel door, cut the available length of the bungee cord, and remove the rest of the leash with a hook.” In other words, a scary, chaotic and not atypical introduction to ACC for Victor.
The next day ACC took Victor for his medical exam, where they reported he had a loose body and wasn’t biting the leash. He did have significant dermatitis and a dry, brittle, patchy haircoat, requiring treatment.
The following day they “were able to double leash Victor without issue and bring him into the pharmacy for treatments. Victor’s tail was wagging and had a very relaxed and wiggly body. He allowed VS [veterinary services] to apply duoxo mousse throughout his entire body. Towards the end when he was waiting for his kennel to be ready, he bit the leash once but was easily redirected with treats. He was returned to his kennel without issue.” While the contemporaneous notes show that he bit the leash once, his at-risk memo — ACC’s excuse for killing him — says, “Victor did well receiving medical treatment for his dermatitis. He repeated the leash biting behavior once treatment was complete.” According to their own notes, he did not repeat the leash biting behavior of the first day.
That’s it. That’s all the notes they made. On intake, Victor was scared and tangled in four leashes. ACC’s own incompetence was their excuse for killing him. In the following days Victor was very relaxed and wagging his tail. His video above shows a friendly, possibly bewildered dog, double leashed for no reason. Another video of Victor enjoying butt rubs ends with a handler saying, “He’s so cute. Good boy.”
ACC killed Victor on day 10.
Ethan [263386]: 3 years old; killed September 28. Found stray in Central Park by park rangers, Ethan and the dog he was found with, Tenzin, got in a fight over food after Tenzin tried to eat from underweight Ethan’s bowl. When someone tried to separate them, that person got bitten on the arm. It’s not known which dog it was.
Ethan had a lame front leg, bite wounds, and demodicosis, a painful inflammatory skin condition caused by mites. As you can see in his video, all that wear and tear made him look older than his age.
At ACC, Ethan was wiggly and wagging, easily leashed, did well on walks, liked sitting on laps, and also playing fetch. A volunteer wrote that Ethan loved “snuggles, endless belly rubs, and just chilling by your side, Ethan (3yo) might be your perfect lazy Sunday sidekick. I got to hang out with Ethan in the backyard, and he was such a chill, sweet boy. He happily played with stuffed toys by himself, melted his whole body into the ground for pets, and was perfectly content just soaking up belly rubs and lounging quietly beside us.”
ACC killed Ethan on day 35.
Cannoli [264999]: 2 years old; killed September 28. “Cannoli came to us after sitting alone in a hallway for days,” wrote a volunteer. “He didn’t move much but I imagine he hoped someone would notice him waiting as he was in need of some help. Now that his life has a bit more stability, Cannoli has been trying to come out of his shell and introduce us to the cat he is and wants to be. With his instant hellos and good hearted nuzzles, Cannoli tries to make friends as best he can given the circumstances. When I met Cannoli, he wasn’t feeling his best, but he still seems to enjoy the pets and cuddles that come on his terms.“
Cannoli, a 15-pound male, was at ACC for over two weeks. Yet for reasons unknown they killed him without putting him on their at-risk list, making Caccoli another ACC silent kill victim.
Tommy [264135]: 10 years old; killed September 30. When Tommy was surrendered to ACC, he greeted staff with a loose and wiggly body. The second time they approached him, he growled. Perhaps he sensed what was about to happen.
Tommy’s owner said that he was very active and friendly; “My dog is the best!” Nervous at first, Tommy quickly warmed up. He leaned in for pets and tried to greet familiar handlers by licking their faces. Easily leashed, he did well on walks, stayed by the handler’s side, ignored passersby and dogs.
Tommy’s “at risk” notes cited the fact that he “failed” the fake hand test, an arbitrary and widely-discredited practice ACC uses to single dogs out for elective killing. Given a toy, Tommy became tense and hovered over it while growling. He was resource guarding, a not-uncommon trait, especially by dogs under stress.
Then, ACC wrote, “as the assess-a-hand gets closer Tommy begins growling louder, baring teeth, snarling, lunges, and charges towards the handler.“ He was very afraid of the big fake hand looming toward him. Never mind that with real hands attached to real people he never behaved in that manner.
ACC killed Tommy on day 30.
Butter [261253]: 3 years old; killed September 30. Known as a sweet and affectionate girl, Butter went on trial adoption. We don’t know why she was returned days later and, like “Proximity” in August, killed without being relisted for foster or adoption, making her another ACC silent kill victim.
Judging by the volunteers, Butter was a happy, easy-going pup. One wrote, “Butter was found tied to a pole and stayed with the good Samaritans who found her for a few days. This is how we know she loves car rides and being close to people, though this last part she seems determined to explain herself to anyone and everyone. Hopping up behind me and tucking herself into my shoulder, Butter immediately embraced me as a friend.”
Another volunteer who took her out on a day break wrote, “Butter was my first dog to do this with and she did not disappoint! She was slightly reserved at first but I was really surprised how quickly she opened up to me given we were strangers. Before you knew it, she was making out with me.
“She walks amazing on leash with only the occasional mild pulling and at a very mellow pace. Her priority is getting all the sniffs in. She wasn’t reactive to any people, kids, dogs, small animals, bikes or skateboards. She seemed to like the water although I wasn’t able to let her do a full swim. We finished our day at Petco where she met lots of people and loved soaking up the attention. When it was time to say goodbye, she was incredibly affectionate showing me that I gained a friend in only a few hours.“
ACC killed Butter day 61.
King Biscuit [246168]: 2 years old; killed October 1. Surrendered by his owner, King Biscuit had many friends at ACC, and one very good friend who spent a lot of time with him. They tell his story best, writing, “Some dogs are all about wiggles and snuggles, but some are fearful and reserved. King Biscuit is one of those dogs who keeps himself low profile — shy, introverted, yet so gentle and sweet, quietly waiting for his turn. Being an introvert myself, I always feel an extra urge to help dogs like him. And this is how the journey of two introverts started.
“When I first met King on Aug. 1st, he was pretty fearful. Wouldn’t take treats, just sitting next to staff like a stone. But he wasn’t showing fearful aggression. It felt like he had built a high wall around himself, trying to feel safe inside his own little box. Over time, I kept spending time with him, hoping he would slowly feel safer.
“And he has improved SO much.
“Now he takes treats gently, leans his head/hip against me for pets, and yesterday, for the first time, he put his paws on my lap asking for affection. That was a big moment for us. I was so happy seeing him finally comfortable enough to make that choice on his own.
“King also walks nicely on leash with very little pulling. He may pause to watch a nearby dog, but usually stays calm around people and dogs. He also passes many kennels on his way outside without reacting.
“Despite all his progress, King is now AT RISK. In his previous home, King lived with 3 dogs. According to his owner, King got into two fights with his father after the other dog attempted to be “dominant.” When the owner intervened with a stick, King redirected onto the stick and then snapped toward the owner. Because of this history, King urgently needs placement.
“King may not immediately run up asking for love. He needs time. But once he starts trusting you, those little moments feel so much bigger. I really hope someone gives this quiet, gentle boy the chance he deserves.”
King did not get that chance. He came to ACC underweight, was put on Trazodone, and vomited twice in his first week there — a common side effect of the sedative. He had diarrhea the day before they neutered him, even though they know he could be killed. Like so many dogs there, he also caught CIRDC and continued to have bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.
ACC killed King Biscuit on day 79.
Okapi [264960]: 2 years old; killed October 1. Okapi spent a week with the person who found her. They said she was affectionate and playful, comfortable meeting new people. On intake, she was friendly and tried to lick faces. She was also in heat, which makes it impossible to judge a dog’s behavior, as hormonal surges can cause dogs to become more anxious or agitated. But judge ACC did.
On her second day at ACC, in a kennel surrounded by dogs, she became fearful, trembling and not wanting to leave the kennel. They used a hook to place the leash, which caused her to growl and bite at the hook. Once she was leashed she exited easily and was social with handlers. After that day, she was leashed with ease, wiggly, wagging and attention-seeking with handlers, but would thrash and bite the leash upon returning to her kennel.
ACC killed Okapi on day 15 for “behavior,” specifically for growling and biting the hook on her second day there and not wanting to be returned to the kennel, where she was likely surrounded by dogs who had not been neutered.
Alphonse [261594]: 5 years old; killed October 1. Alphonse’s human died. He and his housemate, Edward, were darted by the police in their home and brought to ACC. Edward was also given a kill command but was fortunate to be rescued.
Alphonse, underweight with scars on his head and limbs, kept a cautious low profile. He was easy to take out of the kennel, walked with a loose leash by the handler’s side. He was a quiet pup with sad soulful eyes as you can see in his video.
ACC killed Alphonse on day 60.
Onyx [266200]: age unknown; killed early October. Onyx was found on September 22. He was never listed for foster or adoption, a silent kill.
Hercules [265184]: 5 years old; killed October 2. Hercules, a 105-pound gentle giant, would roll over for belly rubs within minutes of meeting a new person.
He was adopted, but soon after, according to ACC, became extremely ill with a grave prognosis.
Returned to the kill pound, Hercules was exterminated on day 20.
Gronk [263937]: 9 years old; killed October 2. Gronk, a senior pup, was surrendered by his owner.
He was available for foster or adoption, with a note that he had medical needs to be discussed with applicants.
ACC then killed Gronk, on day 11, with no warning and no stated excuse.
Eddie [229374]: 1 year old; killed October 2. Eddie was adopted from ACC at five months old.
His owner said Eddie was a sweet dog who loved people, was very active and playful. They also warned ACC that Eddie lunged to initiate play.
And he so wanted to play. Eddie loved alligator toys. Unfortunately, in addition to fear and illness, a puppy’s enthusiasm for life is also a death sentence at the “shelter.”
After dosing him with human-grade sedatives, ACC killed Eddie on day 21 for the crime of being a puppy who wanted to play.
Bleu [266212]: 3 years old; killed October 2. Friendly and playful Bleu had been with her family since she was eight weeks old.
On intake at ACC she was bewildered and very scared. She really didn’t like being lassoed by the rope they call a leash. Wonder why?
ACC made no notes on Bleu after her second day there. She was big and scared so, having no capacity to offer actual care, ACC ignored her before killing a gorgeous dog as quickly as they could.
ACC exterminated Bleu on day 10.
Polo [259203]: 2 years old; killed October 2. Polo and his friend Marco (a girl) were found loose in an apartment building. Marco was the one ACC considered scared and shy. Polo was “very friendly, outgoing and easy to handle,” said a volunteer.
“I swear Polo’s head makes up at least half of his 52 pounds,” the volunteer wrote. “He has that comically large noggin with as equally as big smile, one that I simply can’t resist! I have spent a lot of time with Polo in the almost three months he’s been with us and he has been consistently sweet and playful. He particularly loves to work for a treat (sit, give paw, whatever you ask) and will engage in games of fetch or just relax in the yard. Polo has even showed me where he might have gotten his name, by getting in the pool and splashing around on hotter days! But where he really shines is on walks! He has great leash skills.”
“Struggling to acclimate” is what ACC wrote on Polo’s at-risk memo. That’s a standard excuse when the “shelter” wants to kill dogs who have long-term stays because ACC fails to place them in a loving home.
It’s also ACC’s excuse for overdosing animals with sedatives, as they did Polo before killing him on day 87.
Having killed her bonded sibling, ACC now has Marco on the “at-risk” list.
Cherry [259104]: 2 years old; killed October 2. Adopted from ACC in August, Cherry’s family lost their home. Affectionate, smart, and protective of her people, she became reactive toward dogs at ACC. Also pigeons. Apparently, a dog chasing birds is a problem beyond ACC’s ability to handle.
ACC noted that “Cherry will become frustrated and bark if not given items she thinks are toys,” and “Cherry lunged at scooter during PM walk.” In other words, she was a dog.
On September 23, just two (yes, two) days after her arrival, ACC made her TDO, transfer door only, meaning she was not allowed to leave her kennel for walks or potty breaks.
ACC also increased the sedative they were giving her, Trazodone, “to help tolerate confinement” imposed by ACC.
After dosing her with a human sleep aid and condemning her to the hole, ACC killed family pet Cherry on day 12.
Winnie [263759]: 7 years old; killed October 3. Stray Winnie arrived at ACC with a wound on her neck, which ACC performed surgery to repair.
She was a relaxed cat, purring, leaning into pets, and happy to be picked up and held.
ACC killed Winnie on day 37, with no reason provided to the New Yorkers who paid ACC personnel to care for her.
Which is just how Mayor Mamdani and Speaker Menin want it.
