Key Point Summary โ Dead Woman With Dogs
- 73-year-old woman found dead in Brooklyn home
- Over 80 neglected, sick dogs discovered inside
- One dog was giving birth during the rescue
- Neighbors describe horrific smells and sounds
- Police had previously attempted wellness checks
- House had no electricity during extreme heat
- Rescue teams work to rehome the animals
Squalid Discovery in Mill Basin
Brooklyn police made a shocking discovery Thursday when they entered a home on East 66th Street. Inside, they found the body of a 73-year-old womanโand more than 80 dogs living in filth. The dogs were sick, matted, and some barely moving.
Responding to a 911 call, officers stepped into what neighbors called a โhouse of horrors.โ Animal Care Centers of NYC and the ASPCA rushed to the scene to remove the animals. One dog was even giving birth as rescuers arrived.
Neighbors Had Raised Alarms for Years
Locals say this tragedy was long in the making. Neighbors often reported foul smells, strange noises, and dogs barking through the night. Police had visited multiple times, including three weeks ago, but werenโt allowed inside.
โIt smelled so toxic you couldnโt breathe,โ said Leeora Bernstein, who lives next door. โThey lived in total darkness.โ
Dogs Trapped in Filth and Chaos
Photos from the scene show heartbreaking conditions. Piles of garbage, boxes, and broken furniture littered every room. Pet carriers were stacked high. Dogs with tangled, matted fur wandered the debris.
The ACC reported that many of the dogs were in poor health. Most showed signs of severe neglect, malnourishment, and heat exhaustion.
Police Had Eyes on the Home
According to neighbors, officers had even climbed ladders to look inside windows. Adam Greenberg said police saw dead animals inside, but couldnโt legally enter.
โThey said they had no probable cause,โ he told reporters. โItโs heartbreaking because help came too late.โ
House Without Power or Air
The sisters who lived in the home reportedly had no electricity. During the recent heat wave, they used flashlights at night. There was no air conditioning, adding to the suffering of both people and pets.
The cause of death for the 73-year-old woman remains unknown. Her sister, who also lived in the home, has not been identified publicly.
Animal Rescue Teams Mobilize
Animal Care Centers of NYC confirmed that all the dogs have been removed and are undergoing medical evaluations. The rescue team, supported by the ASPCA, described the scene as one of the worst hoarding situations theyโve faced.
โThese dogs deserve better,โ said one volunteer. โTheyโll never go back to living in that misery.โ
Community Outrage and Support
The local community has rallied around the dogs. Donations are pouring into shelters. Volunteers are stepping up to foster and adopt the rescued pets.
Still, the shock hasnโt worn off.
โItโs devastating,โ said neighbor Alex Zinger. โWe always suspected something was wrong, but no one had the power to stop it.โ
Where Are Authorities Now?
Critics are demanding answers. Why couldnโt police intervene sooner? Why did it take a death to force entry? Calls for changes in hoarding laws and animal welfare oversight are growing louder.
City Council members are expected to push for new legislation, including easier access for emergency responders when animals are at risk.
Looking Ahead for the Dogs
Rescue groups hope to get the dogs into loving homes. Each one requires medical care, grooming, and emotional healing. Many will need weeks, even months, of recovery.
ACC officials say the dogs will be placed in shelters across the state to prevent overcrowding. A public adoption event is already in the works.
A Tragic Wake-Up Call
This Brooklyn nightmare has sparked citywide conversation. While animal hoarding cases often go unnoticed, this oneโs scale and heartbreak have grabbed the publicโs attention.
As one advocate put it, โThis isnโt just about dogs. Itโs about isolation, poverty, mental illness, and a system that failed everyone involved.โ
And now, the question remains: What will the city do to make sure it never happens again?
