A video showing two dogs left out in the cold during one of the worst winter storms in New York City’s history has gone viral on Facebook.
The video was recorded by a Brooklyn woman on Saturday, showing the dogs suffering and howling in a small enclosure in the yard of a Brooklyn home. It was uploaded by Evelyn Tully Costa and has been viewed more than 315,000 times as of Sunday evening. You can watch the video above.
The woman has been identified by the New York Post as June Hercules Wiggins, 62. She told the newspaper the dogs, two short-haired pit bulls, are meant for her protection and admitted her neighbors have complained about how she treats them.
Police and animal control authorities were called to her house and Hercules was eventually issued a summons. But the ASCPA told the New York Daily News leaving the dogs out in the cold does not amount to animal cruelty. The dogs were still outside Sunday night, her neighbor said.
“The dogs were out all night, they were whimpering,” Evelyn Costa, who recorded the video, told the Daily News. “The nightmare continues. Blizzard or no blizzard, those dogs have been abused for years.”
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Video Shows the Elderly Dogs Crying as They Are Stuck Outside in the Blizzard
(Facebook)
The dogs can be heard crying as they are left outside in a makeshift doghouse in Hercules’ Brooklyn yard.
“I know there are dog breeds that like to sleep in the snow, that’s not these dogs. They’re short haired, they’re old. They’re limping around,” her neighbor, Evelyn Costa, told the New York Post.
The dogs Prince, 14, who is blind, and 15-year-old Egypt, were not seized, the ASPCA told the Daily News, because the living conditions were inadequate, but not cruel.
2. She Says the Dogs Would ‘Track Dirt’ Into Her House
June Hercules. (Google+)
Hercules spoke to the New York Post on Sunday while shoveling snow outside her home. She told the newspaper the dogs would “track the dirt in” if she let them inside her house.
Costa told the Daily News dogs’ whimpering was “like nails on a chalkboard” during one of the largest snowfalls in New York City’s history.
“I don’t know why anyone would leave an animal outside for hours on end in those conditions,” Costa told the Daily News. “It’s a chronic neglect situation.”
3. Police Issued Her a Summons After the Dog Was Left Outside After Their First Visit to the House
Hercules. (Facebook)
Police responded to Hercules’ home Saturday night and told her to bring the dogs inside, the New York Daily News reports. The next morning officers went back to the home for a second check, and found the dogs outside again, the newspaper reports. Hercules was then issued a summons, police said.
One of the officers said to Hercules, “Do you remember me? I was here last year,” the Daily News said. The officers said they received 30 to 40 calls on Saturday.
The ASCPA also responded and told the Daily News it is working with Hercules to “assess” the situation.
4. Her Neighbor Says She Has Been Neglecting Her Pets for 13 Years
(Facebook)
Hercules’ neighbor, Evelyn Tully Costa, said on Facebook that she and other neighbors have been complaining about the dogs’ treatment for years:
71st precinct is now investigating and animal care and control going over tomorrow. Thanks for all your calls. 13 years we neighbors have listened to these suffering animals while the owners kept tossing them out right after the police ASPCA walked out the door. Maybe something good will finally happen fit the dogs.
“Dogs on President Street have been brought inside after officers from 71st Precinct went over, made owner shovel snow to trapped dogs to get them INSIDE. We will keep you updated on the fate of these two poor animals. 13 years is ENOUGH.
She said the dogs have also been left outside during the hottest days of the year.
5. Concerned Animal Lovers Have Called for the Dogs to be Taken Away From Her
(Facebook)
Concerned animal lovers rallied around the dogs after the video was posted, calling for the woman to have the animals removed from her home. They contacted police, animal control and local politicians.
The group “Bring Home Marie,” which was started last year to help find a missing dog, was among those asking its followers to intervene by calling the local police precinct.
“Everyone call them. Keep calling them. NYC has laws against this and they must enforce it and remove the animals. They will tell you they sent someone out. They lie. Keep calling,” the Facebook post said. “Two short-haired pitbulls have been left outside all night crying and whimpering at 1035 President St. Between Franklin and Bedford Avenues in Brooklyn Ny. Authorities have been called numerous times. No one cares! What will it take to help them.? They are old dogs!! I it is 3pm and they’re still out there crying!! Please repost!!”
They eventually received response from police and others.
“Last night, the police showed up and the dogs were taken inside and today the ASPCA checked on the dogs to make sure they were in good condition,” New York state Senator Marty Golden said in a Facebook post in response to the outcry for help. “The ASPCA will be checking on these dogs this week and if they are not found to be in good condition, the dogs will be taken away by the ASPCA and summons the owner. If anyone else notices these dogs outside in inclement weather, please call 911 and my office at (718) 238-6044.”
