Last week we told you the tragic story of Nena… a dog waiting for transport that was destroyed by “accident.” Maybe she looked too much like a dog on the “list” or maybe her number was a bit too similar…. Either way, she is dead and ACC management could care less. Some suggest that what happened was a mistake or a freak occurrence. We wish that were true, but it is not. “Accidental” deaths happen all-too-often at the shelter. The ACC insists on using poorly-trained and sometimes unlicensed technicians (because they cost less) to perform crucial tasks that they have no business doing. The ACC‘s main objective is to cut costs. Understaffing is the norm. If animals die as a result, well, that’s really not as important to the powers-that-be than their bottom line. Saving money will always take precendent over saving lives.
Within a 2 week span, 3 separate stories have emerged from the Brooklyn ACC. It is impossible to not be horrified. Nena’s story was heart-breaking and tragic– as it is everytime they kill a dog that had a home to go to. But, now we want to tell you about Mozart and Billy. They were also living breathing PETS that are now gone… and no one can say why.
Billy was an adorable senior bulldog mix that arrived at the shelter on 2/13. Rated Green (excellent), he was promptly escorted into the tiny adoption area for his chance at finding his forever family. With less than 20 cages in adoptions, things were looking up for Billy. Not many dogs ever get the chance to be seen in the adoption area and Billy was a hit! The staff and volunteers adored him and he was top of the list to be walked. Not one person ever thought for a second that Billy would not make it out. In the end, Billy was in the freezer with the countless other casualties of the NYCACC.
Why is Billy dead? After speaking with those who knew Billy, we were able to retrace his final hours. As mentioned, Billy was in adoptions on February 18th, the day that would turn out to be his last. He was happy and energetic… not a trace of kennel cough or any other illness. That afternoon, he was seen out with a volunteer, happily enjoying his time outdoors. He was placed back in his cage, in the adoption ward, and the volunteer moved on to the next dog. Sometime around 4pm, Billy was removed from his cage by a staff member and walked into the “euth room”. Without ever being on the “list” and without ever sneezing or showing any signs of illness, Billy was destroyed at 4:20 pm.
When asked about Billy’s death, the NYC ACC has given several ridiculous answers. They said he was “food aggressive” and had “Cherry Eye.” Call us crazy, but don’t we see dogs that have guarding issues on the list every night? Why was Billy singled out and killed without an alert being sent out to rescues? Why was a dog with such an issue in adoptions? The ACC rarely (if ever) place a dog that failed resource guarding in adoptions. How could they when they kill dogs every day for that very reason? Was his “cherry eye” so bad that it would have been inhumane to keep him alive another 14 hours? We think the shelter is grasping at straws. And we think that they are lying to cover their asses. The correct answer, the only answer, is that they SCREWED UP, again. Life lesson–> when you kill a happy, healthy animal in error, don’t insult his memory by now trying to blame him for your error. Personal accountability. Learn the phrase. Then start practicing it.
As if Billy’s tale is not bad enough, we can not forget Mozart either. Mozart was also at the Brooklyn shelter. He was not as “lucky” as Billy and he was hidden away in the back. He never had a chance to be seen by the public. Never was afford the opportunity to find a loving new home. Not much is known about him… the shelter really never lifted a finger to help, but we can safely assume that he is dead. He arrived at the shelter on February 8th. He was nervous and afraid… a typical stray in an awful environment. He was on the ACC website one day and then the next day… GONE. Never on the euth list, never adopted, just gone.
When inquiries were made, no one could answer. No one knows where he is. Mozart, with his cage padlocked (as all cages are) managed to squeeze through the tiny bars, open the doors, and walk out unnoticed. Before he escaped, he also thought enough to place another dog in the cage so no one would notice it was empty. Is that what the shelter wants us to believe? Seriously?!?!
We know better. Mozart did not vanish into thin air. We can safely assume that the day after Mozart “disappeared,” a dog thought to be dead was found at the shelter alive, and the remains of a scared little black dog were hidden away in a freezer, labeled with the name of another. Killed in error and no one will even acknowledge it. Mozart arrived at the shelter a number and he died alone and unknown. Just another unlucky dog at the ACC.
RIP Mozart and Billy. You deserved so much more.