Just over one week after an animal rescue group shocked Bronxites with a report that alleged, organized dogfighting and animal cruelty, including the mauling of stray cats by pitbulls, was taking place at a NYCHA complex in The Bronx, a Bronx pitbull owner is dead following a fatal attack by a pitbull inside his apartment in the Longwood section of The Bronx. Arriving police officers shot and killed the dog during the attack, but the still-unidentified victim could not be saved and died later at St. Barnabas Hospital.

 

According to police, officers from the 42nd Precinct responded to a 911 call received at 3.09 a.m. on the morning of Friday, April 26, about an incident in Longwood. A police spokesperson told Norwood News, “Police responded to a 911 call of a dog biting their owner inside of 1210 Simpson Street.”

 

The spokesperson continued, “Upon arrival, officers observed a pitbull mauling a 41-year-old male. Both officers discharged their firearms striking the dog multiple times.” The spokesperson said the victim was transported to hospital by EMS where he was pronounced deceased and the officers were also transferred to hospital for observation. The dog was pronounced deceased at the scene and the investigation remains ongoing, the spokesperson added.

 

Norwood News visted the site of the incident and one male resident of the building who declined to be identified alleged he had just been with the victim and his dog hours before the tragedy unfolded. “I saw him maybe six hours before it happened,” the resident said. “He was just out here walking his dog. The dog was peeing; he was holding him and that was it.”

 

The resident continued, “After that, six hours later, my buddy called me and told me what happened.” When asked if the owner had ever mistreated the dog, the resident replied, “Ahh, no, no, no. I’ve never seen him mistreat the dog.”

The resident added, “My buddy called me; I thought he was joking.” The resident then recalled visiting his now deceased friend’s fourth-floor apartment, saying, “Then I went downstairs this morning. I saw people cleaning the apartment. So I was like, ‘Oh sh*t! This is real!'”

 

Asked what type of a guy the victim was, the resident said, “Yeah, he was pretty smooth. He was pretty easygoing, you know? He didn’t cause any trouble. I’m pretty shocked.”

 

In reference to the incident, another resident from across the street who also declined to be identified said he heard the gunfire. He also knew the victim, but not by name. “I didn’t even see the dog,” he said. “That, to me, is crazy!” He added, “I’ve never seen him with the dog – period.”

 

Asked if he was shocked by what happened, the resident replied, “Hell yeah! That early in the morning…….yeah, straight up! You know when you mistreat a dog, that’s what happens.” [It is unknown if the dog had been mistreated.]

 

Norwood News mentioned to the resident about recent posts circulating on social media about animal abuse allegedly taking place at certain New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes involving pitbulls and cats. The same resident fumed, “Stop playing! Who does that?” He added, “Oh man, that’s crazy!” Referring to his acquaintance, the victim, he then said, “He wasn’t treating that dog right.”

Several residents living nearby on Simpson Street said the building where the man died was a new building that appeared to them to be a New York City Department of Homeless Services (HSS) shelter. One resident said it was called “Home Simpson.”

 

Shortly after police officers left the building, Norwood News attempted to ask around to learn if it was actually a New York City-run shelter and if so, who was running it. Before being asked to leave the premises, a woman behind the front desk told us, “Oh okay….we can’t allow you on site. I’m sorry.”

 

Minutes later, at least four FDNY fire trucks arrived at the building. One fire official told us at the scene the fire department had been called for a report of smoke in the building, adding it was later deemed to be unfounded.

 

Norwood News later followed up with the official FDNY press unit and a spokesperson said the department received a call at 9.54 a.m. for a report of a “smoke condition” on the 4th floor of 1210 Simpson Street by Home Street and Freeman Street. The spokesperson said there were no reported injuries and the incident was closed at 10.11 a.m. adding, “The condition just required one engine and one ladder on scene.”

We also contacted NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) for information on the building, including requesting confirmation of the criteria to own and house a dog there, and whether the victim had met that criteria in having a dog onsite. We had not received a response from DHS as of press date.

 

According to information posted to the internet, CMC Development Group and HELP USA co-developed the site, along with nearby 937 Home Street, to create an 8,000-square foot church and program offices, as well as 72 units of affordable housing in 60,000 square feet of residential space. Norwood News contacted both CMC and Help USA for comment on the incident and will share any updates we receive. The building opened on Oct. 19, 2023 according to New York City Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), which previously launched an affordable housing lottery for units in the building.

 

Prior to the incident, on April 19, the cat rescue group, Little Wanderers NYC, had posted on social media that “another cat” had been killed by dogs and that they had been reporting about stray cats being used for bait in dogfighting games and competitions at a NYCHA housing complex in The Bronx for a long time. The group wrote, “Although it has been well known for years and people reported it, everyone got the run around.”

 

The group went on to say that Little Wanderers NYC is not law enforcement. “We are a cat rescue group trying to provide TNR and rescue services in The Bronx and Harlem with zero support from NYC government. However when our friends started complaining and saying they weren’t getting any help, we knew we had to take a stand and help.”

 

Accompanying the post was an undated video showing an apparent pitbull mauling a cat an at unknown location. A Little Wanderers NYC representative, who we are not naming for security reasons, said they were made aware of the video by “someone who reported it,” adding that they do not wish to identify the person to protect them from any retribution.

 

In the background of the video, a man can be heard making kissing noises and seemingly encouraging the dog, saying, “Shake it Taylor. Good Girl!” However, as there is no other background noise other than the man speaking, it’s unclear if the video /  voiceover has potentially been edited or not.

 

As there is reference to Gun Hill Houses NYCHA complex, located in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx, in the social media post by Little Wanderers NYC, and as the NY Post had reported on this also, we asked the cat rescue group if they could confirm if the video of the pitbull mauling the cat was taken at Gun Hill Houses. A representative explained that they do not wish to do so for security reasons. Meanwhile, a representative from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, who is aware of the issue, told Norwood News that to date, at least, it has not been corroborated that the video was recorded at Gun Hill Houses.

 

The original source of the video is unknown to Norwood News. When we visited Gun Hill Houses on April 25 and spoke to a number of residents in the area, we asked if they were aware of any dog fighting taking place. Almost all said they were not. However, one person said they were aware, though they were fearful of saying much more on the matter. One person said police had recently been seen at the NYCHA complex, and indirectly suggested the reason for the visit was in connection with potential dogfighting.

 

Meanwhile, Little Wanderer NYC’s post continued, “Well, there’s more. Unfortunately, the killings aren’t just localized to this one housing project. Half a mile away, another cat was killed by dogs. There is an eyewitness. She tried to report it but it didn’t go very far. The body was taken to a city agency. How much more hard evidence do we need?”

Norwood News contacted the NYPD for the status of any investigation into reports of animal cruelty / dogfighting at Bronx NYCHA complexes and will share any updates we receive. We had already reached out to the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals on April 21, and Steve Gruber, director of communications, replied, saying, “I already reported this to the Mayor’s Office of AnimalWelfare yesterday and gave their link to the rescue group that posted the videos.” We will share any further updates we receive.

Meanwhile, Little Wanderers NYC are encouraging all Bronxites who care about animal cruelty to call their city council representatives and let them know that Bronx animal rescuers need help. The group confirmed to Norwood News during an interview that a meeting had been arranged with City Council Member Kevin Riley (C.D. 12), who represents Williamsbridge among other areas, to discuss the matter. During the course of the conversation, the group also referred to some incidents in the South Bronx.

 

“Government officials can no longer turn a blind eye to the violence and suffering right under their noses,” the group said. “We’ve had enough. This is a call to action!” The group are calling on animal lovers and Bronx residents to demand the following:

1. Increase resources for Bronx rescue groups that include spay/neuter services and offer subsidies to vets who partner with rescue groups.
2. Encourage the police to take animal abuse seriously and stop giving animal rescue groups the run around.
3. Demand that the Bronx DA leverages maximum penalties on dogfighting.

 

The cat rescue group also shared the contact details for the following Bronx city council members and said, “Call them! Email them!”

Eric Dinowitz
718-549-7300
Dinowitz@council.nyc.gov

Diana Ayala
212-828-9800
Dayala@council.nyc.gov

Kevin Riley
District12@council.nyc.gov
718-684-5509

Pierina Sanchez
District14@council.nyc.gov
347-590-2874

Oswald Feliz
District15@council.nyc.gov
718-842-8100

Althea Stevens
District16@council.nyc.gov
718-588-7500

 

In mid-March, Norwood News reported that a dog became impaled on a railing after it apparently jumped off the roof of a residential building in Kingsbridge. We understand the dog died and though we followed up, we didn’t ever receive definitive confirmation. We’re following up with Animal Care Centers of NYC and will share any updates we receive.

 

After a number of fatal attacks on people in England and Wales by pitbulls between 1981 and 1991, the UK government decided to take action and ban the breed in 1991 under the Dangerous Dogs Act, according to reporting by The Independent.

 

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the neighborhood in which Gun Hill Houses is located from Olinville to Williamsbridge. Supplemental information has also been added to the story.