NYC Cat and Dog Killings Surge Under Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani has allowed a marked rise in exterminations relative to Eric Adams' last year in office. He won't say why.
The Scoop New York is a website and newsletter covering the movement for a true no-kill New York, from BUF to BK. NYC ACC KILLS, published by TSNY, enumerates and memorializes adoptable cats and dogs who were exterminated by Animal Care Centers of New York City.
The Scoop New York is the only news outlet to consider newsworthy taxpayer-funded cruelty toward homeless companion animals, as well as decades of officials’ deliberate abuse — psychological, physical and financial — of the New Yorkers who care about them.
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It’s April 18, 2026. This is The Weekly Poop.
Animal Care Centers of New York City [sic] exterminated a significantly higher number of homeless cats and dogs during Zohran Mamdani’s first two months as mayor compared to kill totals reported during the same time period in 2025, Eric Adams’ last year in office, according to ACC data.
As reported this week on NYC ACC KILLS, ACC carried out a total of 499 cat and dog killings in January and February, compared to a total of 427 in the first two months of 2025 — a 17 percent jump. Dog exterminations over those two months rose year-to-year from 248 to 280, a 13 percent increase. Elective cat killings spiked 22 percent, from 179 to 219.
Contrary to agency propaganda, virtually all cats and dogs killed by NYC ACC are healthy and adoptable when they enter the pound system.
The Scoop New York asked Mamdani’s press office if the mayor could account for the increase in discretionary homeless companion animal killings on his watch. We also asked why Mamdani permits ACC officials to continue to falsely claim the city pound doesn’t kill healthy animals, and if the mayor is in the main copacetic with agencies he’s in charge of lying to New Yorkers.
As with all prior queries from The Scoop New York concerning his kill pound as well as companion animal welfare generally, the mayor who preaches accountability and buck-stoppage at every opportunity had nothing to say.
TSNY is working up a comprehensive analysis of NYC DOH ACC 2025 kill data for publication next week. In the meantime, below are excerpts from the NYC ACC KILLS February 2026 memoriam post. Read them and weep. Because the cowardly conniving hypocrite most responsible sure as shit won’t.
As with all prior TSNY queries concerning his kill pound as well as companion animal welfare generally, the mayor who preaches accountability and buck-stoppage at every opportunity had nothing to say.
Eminem Meowthers [247972]: 3 years old; killed February 28. Eminem Meowthers, a stray cat, who was noted to be calm and timid, was listed for medical reasons. ACC wrote: “He is a young sweet cat and recovering from a urinary obstruction. He needs monitoring and pain management in a veterinary clinic to recover.” Instead, ACC killed him on day 10.
Scoob [244378]: 1 year old; killed February 27. Puppy Scoob, says a volunteer, was “69 lbs of adolescent energy and behavior. And yet he managed to disarm us with his charm. Running across the yard he flew onto a lap, and a summer Olympics would say he stuck the landing. I truly don’t think he cared that he was entirelv too big to fit, he was pleased to be where he was.”
Scoob, a stray, was found outside a pizzeria eating from the trash. Apparently, he stole a glove from someone’s pocket to play with, but politely dropped it when asked. On intake ACC wrote that he was “very sweet and friendly.” His leash biting, for which ACC killed him, began only after he’d been at ACC for a few weeks. Scoob was killed on day 64.
Doeby [183902]: 4 years old; killed February 4. Everyone loved Doeby, who lost her family when they moved to NYCHA housing. Gentle, loving, and loyal, her family said. Volunteers agreed. “She listened well, loved treats, and soaked up attention. She was playful but also happily content,” one said.
Another said, “This incredibly affectionate, human-adoring pup, who once lived with other dogs in a home, has become increasingly stressed in the shelter environment and needs out. Doeby is a social butterfly and greets all her people on our way out of the shelter, and on our way back in.”
A great leash walker, Doeby loved exploring and also “loves to snuggle with you on the backyard bench or score a butt scratch or hug.” ACC killed Doeby on day 49.
Zoe [245893]: 2 years old; killed February 20. Zoe arrived at ACC with 30 bite puncture wounds from an altercation between dogs at her home. She had recently had a litter and was being kept in a separate room when the door was left open and the other two dogs got in.
The owners blamed Zoe. They called the police, who said Zoe remained calm in the crate during transport. At ACC she was very social, wiggly and wagging, easily leashed and walked, with no notes on or signs of aggression. She liked to toss toys in the air and catch them. ACC killed Zoe on day 33.
Nuevo [244513]: 2 years old; killed February 16. Nuevo, a timid stray, trembling during his medical exam, was social with staff despite feeling poorly most of his time at ACC.
ACC dosed Nuevo with a boatload of drugs: Trazodone, Clonidine, and Gabapentin. Nuevo had persistent GI issues, and ulcerated paw pads that caused him to limp.
Noted to be consistently panting, hyper salivating, and barking, ACC diagnosed kennel stress. Instead of working to alleviate that stress, ACC killed Nuevo day 57.
OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR NYC ACC OVERSIGHT
Mayor Zohran Mamdani: Contact form
City Council Speaker Julie Menin: 212-788-7210; Email
City Comptroller Mark Levine: 212-669-3916; Contact forms
City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams: 212-669-7250; Email
City Council members: Lookup
Borough presidents: Lookup
NYC DOH Commissioner Alister Martin: 311; Contact form
Here’s the latest New York companion animal news:
You can love companion animals or you can love watching their adoptive families terrorized by the government, but not both.
Both Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump are looking to evict poor New Yorkers (and their pets) from their homes.
Millionaire Kathy Hochul reportedly donated $2,102 to the “Erie County animal shelter” (whatever that is), which is rich (no pun intended) considering the governor and state lawmakers are why New York animal shelters are forced to survive on public donations.
Related: Case in point.
Related: “North Country animal shelters struggle to adapt to new state guidelines.”
Related: Washington County supervisor Brian Campbell doesn’t get why locals want an animal shelter when taxpayers are already doing the job out of their own pockets.
Oswego County has approved its own animal abuser registry; meanwhile, Saratoga County officials added the first perpetrator to their new roll.
New York City Council Member Chi Ossé told Curbed the council is “brainstorming” legislation to
save dogs from the city kill poundget people to clean up dog shit.ASPCA will spend 2026 reminiscing about the time before it became a self-interested resource-hogging investment vehicle that does animal advocacy on the side — when it isn’t doing the opposite of animal advocacy.
Finally: Godspeed Garfield, saved from LIRR tracks by MTA police and now recovering after he was hit by a train.
Food recalls
FDA announced no pet food recalls this week.
Check here for more info on FDA-announced recalls, and here for details on prior FDA advisories and outbreaks.