New Yorkers are reporting more cases of abuse and neglect involving dogs than cats, according to a new report from the ASPCA set to be released on May 5. The study looked at 2,783 animal abuse cases reported to the ASPCA and NYPD from 2013 to 2022. Out of these, a staggering 2,271 involved dogs, highlighting a significant issue in the treatment of these animals.
One alarming case involved a man in Queens who was arrested in 2022 for keeping nearly 50 puppies in terrible conditions. In contrast, there were only 408 reports of abuse involving cats. Among these cases was a notorious incident from 2014 where a man posted a video on Facebook showing him kicking a cat.
The ASPCA noted that cruelty towards cats might be underreported. They believe that the severity of cat abuse could be greater than what the data suggests. Most of the dog abuse cases—1,424—were related to neglect or abandonment. In comparison, many of the cat cases, 233, involved injuries that the animals often did not survive.
The ASPCA has been collaborating with the NYPD on animal abuse cases in New York City since January 2014. The Bronx had the highest number of reported cases, with over 800, followed by Brooklyn with 736, Manhattan with 570, and Queens with 472. Staten Island reported 187 cases.
The report also mentioned that there were 33 instances of organized animal fighting during the nine-year period studied. The ASPCA emphasized that the ongoing issue of animal cruelty is complex and requires coordinated efforts to address it effectively. They are calling for more awareness and action to protect these vulnerable animals.