Mr. Worldwide, Thought to Have Escaped Dogfighters, Executed by NYC ACC
Hungry, dehydrated, and wounded, he was taken to ACC by people who found him tied to a post in the Bronx. Eight weeks later he was dead.
The Scoop New York is a newsletter dedicated to companion animals and the New Yorkers who care for them, from Buffalo to Brooklyn. 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.
Headlines from Buffalo to Brooklyn
It’s July 12, 2024. This is The Weekly Poop.
I have struggled all week with how to approach today’s column. My nerves are particularly raw from the subject matter, which can blur the line between reporting — or editorializing, even — and preaching.
I’ll do my best.
On May 4, good Samaritans found a homeless Pit bull tied to a post in the Allerton section of the Bronx. Norwood News reported that the dog was hungry and dehydrated, with wounds and scars.
As this is the same area of the Bronx believed to harbor a dogfighting ring, it was suspected that the dog may have somehow gotten away.
Neighbors, parks department staff, and cops lavished attention on the dog — a male, black, estimated to be two years old, “eager” with people.
“This dog was neglected, and abandoned and probably used in dog fights,” Roxanne Delgado, founder of Friends of Pelham Parkway, told Norwood News. “If anyone wants to help this guy, please do so he needs a loving home.”
Though there is an established rescue in the Bronx that works with Pit bulls, it was determined that the dog should instead be taken to NYC ACC, Norwood News reported. ACC deemed him to be eight years old, and named him Mr. Worldwide.
“Everyone worked together so well for a happy outcome for this deserving dog!” read a post from a local neighborhood association, on Facebook.
Mr. Worldwide was soon cleared for adoption. Eight weeks later, with potential adopters reportedly interested in giving him the home he deserved, ACC executed him.
I have to this point hesitated to use “execute” rather than “euthanize” in reference to companion animal killings, because it sounds extreme and kind of crazy. Yet it fits. Mr. Worldwide, like thousands and thousands before him, was not killed out of mercy. He was not gravely ill, or in unremitting pain. He posed no threat to anyone. He was killed for the convenience of his killers. That’s not euthanasia. In human terms, it would be murder.
Mr. Worldwide’s deadly sin was apparently continuing to fight for his life. From Norwood News:
Anne Margaret Daniel, among other concerned Bronx residents, wrote to Norwood News on July 5 in part of Mr. Worldwide, “The NYC ACC have given him a kill command, claiming that he is now fighting to be out of his cage (as any creature would be after two months in that place) and saying that he must go to a foster or adoptive home without other dogs — when he arrived there completely dog friendly or neutral.”
Daniel continued in part, “After such a community effort to save his life, I’m incredulous that the ACC could even kill list ‘Mr. Worldwide,’ let alone give him a kill command. And yet they have.”
Mr. Worldwide escaped one hell only to be escorted to a different one. People paid by the public to care for him instead stuffed him in a cage before poisoning him to death. ACC killed Mr. Worldwide because he wanted to live.
I’m so sorry, buddy. We won’t forget you.
Here’s the latest New York companion animal news:
The city of Utica has partnered with a volunteer group to place homeless dogs in foster homes (proving that New York municipalities can in fact do more than the bare minimum).
Speaking of, here’s that stellar Curbed story (cited earlier this week on TSNY) about cat colony caregivers who do the job New York City won’t.
Related: No-kill pioneer Nathan Winograd has more on media laziness when it comes to reporting on NYC ACC.
New York City EMS workers are bonding over therapy dogs.
Madison County’s open intake facility desperately needs New Yorkers’ help to fund a new building because the politicians are not interested.
No matter who wins the fight over animal control in Rockland County, the animals are losing.
Long Islanders say the Town of Hempstead killed two pet cats within hours of picking them up and without notifying their people.
Related: Roxi, an abandoned, trained, 4-yo Mastiff found tied to a pole on the Southern State Parkway was taken to the same Hempstead kill pound.
An Otsego County senior was charged after authorities found dead and neglected cats and dogs in her apartment.
A Manhattan man was charged after allegedly beating and scalding a 14-week-old Collie.
A Brooklyn man was charged for allegedly stabbing a second man and his Pit bull during a robbery. The dog was injured; the second man was killed.
Zola, saved last year from an abuser in Monticello, was put to death after attacking a senior dog.
Life is cheap in a state that views animals as property.
Good news: A Lab puppy dumped in New Rochelle was adopted by the person who found her, and her abandoner was identified and charged.
Bernadette Peters and Sutton Foster will host this year’s Broadway Barks adoption event in NYC.
Wondering how to become a volunteer rescue transporter? This primer has you covered.
This week on The Scoop New York
NYC ACC May Play the Media, but New Yorkers Have Eyes [Addended]
Homeless animals would be better served if news outlets were less credulous concerning the city’s animal control contractor, and more critical.
Food recalls
Viva Raw has recalled dog and cat food product lines due to possible listeria contamination.