Deadly discovery leads to rescue of 100+ dogs in Brooklyn

The ACC arrived back to the scene Friday morning just before 12 p.m. after the mandatory vacate order was placed on the building on Thursday.

Mike Lamorte

Jun 27, 2025, 5:13 PM

Updated yesterday

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More than 100 dogs have been rescued from a Mill Basin home after a woman was found dead.
A disturbing discovery in a Brooklyn neighborhood continues to unfold as officials say more than 100 dogs have now been rescued from a home in Mill Basin, where a 73-year-old woman was found dead just a day earlier.
On Thursday, rescue teams dressed head to toe in white hazmat suits and filtered masks as they returned to the scene, removing at least 10 more dogs from the property—some matted, scared and in need of urgent medical care.
Neighbors say the smell of urine and waste had seeped into their own homes for years.
“Even when we would put the AC on, we would smell urine and a toxic smell. It’s terrible,” said next door neighbor Leeora Bernstein, who says she made multiple complaints to 311 over the years.
“I heard the dogs barking, but I never imagined that it would be that many,” added another neighbor, Joanne.
Officials with Animal Care Centers of NYC say they’ve faced major challenges finding shelters and medical treatment for the dogs, especially as more are discovered. At least one dog was rushed away Thursday for emergency care.
Police became aware of the situation after finding the woman’s body inside the home Wednesday. Her cause of death remains under investigation.
“It’s heartbreaking, but in a way I’m happy because now they’ll get the care they need,” said Bernstein.
The ACC declined an interview but said the rescue effort is ongoing.