Around two and a half weeks after cat rescue group Little Wanderers NYC shared allegations of organized pitbull fighting taking place at certain locations around The Bronx, which the Bronx District Attorney has confirmed are under investigation by her office, an “extremely hungry” and “dehydrated” pitbull was found abandoned on Saturday, May 4, in the Allerton section of the borough.

 

Local parks group Friends of Pelham Parkway said the dog was found abandoned by Thawites Place across from 2260 Bronx Park East, saying it was estimated that he was no older than 2 years of age, and appeared to be a fighting dog. “He is very, very friendly [to people],” the group said, adding that he was extremely hungry and dehydrated. The group said several women came to his aid with food and water.

 

According to the Friends group, a park ranger later took the dog and brought him to the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) shelter, located at 326 East 110th Street in Harlem, and he has since been listed on their site. Norwood News contacted ACC and asked if the dog was available for adoption. A representative said he is not and is currently listed as being “on stray hold.”

 

The representative added, “He still needs a behavior assessment and a medical assessment.” We’ve asked if the center can confirm, once he’s received the medical assessment, if there is, in the vet’s opinion, evidence of dog fighting and will share any updates we receive.

 

Friends of Pelham Parkway founder, Roxanne Delgado, said, “If I didn’t have a small chihuahua, I would have taken him in. What is sad is how NYPD doesn’t have time, resources or dedication to investigate animal cruelty. This dog was neglected, and abandoned and probably used in dog fights. Yet, no police involvement.” She added, “If anyone wants to help this guy, please do so he needs a loving home.”

 

A Bronx Park East Neighborhood Community group later provided a broader account of the rescue, saying the NYPD’s 49th Precinct, NYC Parks and the local community all worked together to rescue the dog. One member of the group, Diana Finch, added, “It is really not true at all that the NYPD is not addressing or investigating animal cruelty – both in this specific incident or more broadly.”

 

The group thanked the neighborhood member who posted the alert on Saturday morning, May 4, on Citizen about who they described as “this handsome but underweight young dog tied to a post at Bronx Park East and Thwaites.”

 

They explained that the local NYPD community affairs officer was contacted about the abandoned dog and he advised calling 911 for the Animal Care team to come pick the dog up. “Before the NYPD arrived, NYC Parks employees cleaning in the area notified their supervisor, who came and held the dog – which was very friendly with people but very aggressive towards other dogs, a sign of being trained for dogfighting,” the group wrote.

 

They said the Parks department called their officer who deals with abandoned animals in the parks, and actually owns a female pit bull rescue, who had been formerly abused and dumped in the park. “Meanwhile, numerous community members, including one out walking her own dog, came with food, water, towels, even a blanket and toy to take with him to the ACC!” the group wrote in reference to the latest abandoned dog.

 

They went on to say that neighbors stayed with him until the Parks department animal rescue officer arrived. The group also said the NYPD was updated at a certain point that NYC Parks was dealing with the situation and the NYC Parks officer explained that taking the dog to ACC was the best option.

The group said that once ACC checks the dog and assesses his health, the organization will give the owner a chance to retrieve him. They surmised that it was unlikely this would happen in this case, however, as they said the dog had both old and recent wounds, and was underweight. They said the ACC would test the dog to see what kind of home would be best for him e.g. probably one without other pets given his apparently trained aggression towards other animals, and would then offer him for adoption after a few days.

 

They said they would share any updates on adoption information once available on ACC’s website, adding that some neighbors had already expressed interest in doing so. They also said that the NYPD collected the information about the dog, along with photos as part of their ongoing investigation into alleged dogfighting taking place across The Bronx.

 

Finch later told Norwood News, she was the person who had called the NYPD and then went out to the park and was there when the urban ranger came to pick up the dog. She said, “Contrary to what a lot of people believe, the best option for a dog like this IS to take it to ACC. Dogs like this need to be tested and placed only with people who understand what’s involved and can provide an appropriate setting for the dog.”

 

She added, “There is also an organization that works specifically with pit bulls, “Adore-a-Bullie Paws and Claws,” who apparently have a rep in The Bronx. We are trying to make contact with them, but on short notice on a Saturday, when the Citizen alert had been posted, the NYPD and Parks were the best option.” Finch said she also took close-up photos of the dog’s wounds but didn’t post them to social media, though she did sent them to the NYPD Community Affairs Officer.

 

In conclusion, the group wrote, “Special thanks to 49th Precinct, Community Affairs Officer Powers, Urban Park Rangers Partin and Carrero, and all the concerned community members,” adding that 911 followed up later to check the outcome of the abandoned dog! “Everyone worked together so well for a happy outcome for this deserving dog!” they wrote.

 

Finch later said that under “Found Pets,” on ACC’s website, it now says that ACC has assessed the dog and that he is actually 8 years old. “I had no idea; he’s so skinny and eager with people. He seemed young,” she said. “They named him Mr. Worldwide.”

 

Around 224 dogs are currently available for adoption on ACC’s site, along with a host of other animals. The number for the center is (212) 788 4000.

 

Finch later said on May 8, “Mr. Worldwide passed the ACC evaluation and is up for adoption! He’s assessed as a sweet, social, older gentleman who loves getting pets.” Click here for details. “Hope he gets to come back to The Bronx!” Finch added.

Meanwhile, in other animal-related news, as reported by City & State, the Urban Resource Institute and New York City Department of Homeless Services recently announced that the first pet-friendly shelter for unhoused families opened in The Bronx.

One instagram user, Brooklyn Skittles, later told Norwood News, on reading our story, that she had also reported the abandoned dog to her boss while working in the vicinity of Bronx Park East.