14/09/2025
IN GRAVE DANGER - EUTH COMMAND
Bud is not a bad dog—he’s a broken-hearted one. Just three years old, he was found alone on the streets, terrified and confused, and then placed in a shelter that feels more like a prison. He trembles in the back of his kennel, growls to keep the world at bay, and doesn’t dare to dream of a better life. But this isn’t who Bud truly is. This is trauma speaking. This is survival mode. And unless someone steps forward to offer him a quiet, experienced home where he can begin to feel safe again, Bud’s story will end before it ever had a chance to begin.
Imagine Bud in a calm space, away from the chaos—no barking, no strangers, just soft voices and gentle routines. He could learn to trust again, to decompress, to rediscover the dog he was meant to be. It won’t be instant, but it will be worth it. Because beneath the trembling and snarling is a soul desperate for peace. Bud doesn’t need a hero who expects perfection. He needs someone who understands fear, who sees past the defenses, and who believes in second chances. Please, if you’re that person, come for Bud. He’s waiting—quietly, desperately—for someone to see the dog he could be.
BUD, ID 235692, @3 Yrs. Old, 63.4 lbs., Male
Queens ACC, Large Mixed Breed, Brown/White
Surrender Reason: 8/31/25 – Stray
Behavior Assessment Rating: New Hope Only
Recommendations:
No children (under 13)
Place with a New Hope Partner
Medical Behavior Rating: 5. Red
AT RISK MEMO:
Bud is at risk due to behavioral concerns in care. He has consistently displayed low arousal, fearful defensive behaviors such as lunging, snarling, growling, and snapping at handlers, especially when approached in his kennel or when attempts are made to leash him. His behavior has made safe handling difficult. Medically, Bud is receiving treatment for CIRDC.
Bud came into the care center as a stray, so his history in a home environment is unknown. Bud has shown behaviors, including lunging, snarling, growling, and snapping when approached in his kennel or when attempts are made to leash him. In the Care Center, he has been observed hard staring, lip curling, and escalating to vocalizations when handlers linger nearby. He has also displayed reactivity when other dogs and handlers pass his kennel. Upon intake, Bud was brought in by ESU after reportedly attempting to bite people and lunging at an officer. Due to these concerns, Bud will require placement with a New Hope partner experienced in managing defensive and reactive dogs, using slow introductions, positive reinforcement, and safety precautions.
INTAKE NOTES – Date of Intake: 31-Aug-2025
n/a
OWNER SURRENDER REASON – BASIC INFORMATION:
n/a
BEHAVIOR NOTES
Date of intake:: 8/31/2025
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown
SHELTER ASSESSMENT SUMMARIES - Date of Assessment:: 9/8/2025
Summary:: Due to Bud's escalations upon intake and when approached in the kennel, he is not an appropriate candidate for a handling assessment at this time.
PLAYGROUP NOTES - DOG TO DOG SUMMARY n/a
ENRICHMENT NOTES
09/11/25 (KSV) As the handler enters the kennel room, Bud is at the back of his kennel trembling. The handler will toss him treats, but he doesn't move, remaining still. The handler attempts to coax him with a soft voice but Bud remains at the back of his kennel.
9/7: Bud begins snarling and lunging at his kennel door when handlers and another dog enter the room to bring the other dog to its' kennel.
9/05/25: Bud when the handler lingers to the kennel next to his, and begins to growl and lunge towards the front of his kennel, and continue to lunge a couple times before the handler walks out of the room.
09/03/25: Bud is at the front of the kennel staring at the handler and wagging his tail slowly at mid level. Bud does not soften and remains stiff, with his ears forward, dilated pupils, and taking treats hard. The handler lingers for a bit and takes too long to give a treat, and when the handler gets up he jumps on the gate and does a deep vocalization, and lip curls a bit and backs away. Bud is given some more treats and the handler walks away.
09/02/25:(KSV) Bud stands in front of his kennel door with a neutral frame. The handler will toss Bud enrichment. Bud will begin to investigating it before hovering. Bud will hard stare at the handler with slow swaying tail before low growling. As the handler walks away, Bud's growling will escalate back to hard barking.
INTAKE BEHAVIOR:
Date of intake:: 8/31/2025
Summary:: lunging, snarling and trying to bite hands
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:
Date of initial:: 8/31/2025
Summary:: biting at everything entering his kennel; needed sedation in police car in kennel to be handled; sed.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations::
No children (under 13)
,Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments::
No children (under 13): We reccomend Bud be placed in an adult-only home.
Place with a New Hope partner: Bud came into the care center as a stray, so his history in a home environment is unknown. Bud has shown behaviors, including lunging, snarling, growling, and snapping when approached in his kennel or when attempts are made to leash him. In the Care Center, he has been observed hard staring, lip curling, and escalating to vocalizations when handlers linger nearby. He has also displayed reactivity when other dogs and handlers pass his kennel. Upon intake, Bud was brought in by ESU after reportedly attempting to bite people and lunging at an officer. Due to these concerns, Bud will require placement with a New Hope partner experienced in managing defensive and reactive dogs, using slow introductions, positive reinforcement, and safety precautions.
Potential challenges: :
Fearful/potential for defensive
On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,
Kennel presence,Low threshold for arousal
Potential challenges comments::
Low Threshold for Arousal / Fearful / Potential for Defensive Aggression:Bud has a documented history of fear-based and defensive behaviors, particularly when approached in his kennel or during leashing attempts. His responses include lunging, snarling, growling, and snapping, which escalate to hard staring and lip curling when handlers linger nearby. These behaviors indicate a low threshold for arousal and a high potential for defensive aggression. Training should prioritize safety, trust-building, and gradual desensitization to handling and proximity. Please see the handout on Low Threshold for Arousal / Fearful / Potential for Defensive Aggression
Kennel presence/barrier frustration: He has also displayed reactivity when other dogs and handlers pass his kennel.Management strategies such as visual barriers, enrichment, and structured out-of-kennel time can help reduce frustration and improve his overall kennel behavior. Please see the handout on Kennel presence/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES:
9/1/2025
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: based on the condition of teeth and eyes 2-4 yrs (3 yrs)
Microchip noted on Intake?
Negative
History:
Brought in by police
Subjective:
BAR H pink 1 sec
Observed Behavior -
Severe aggression, including approach-biting at everything entering his kennel; needed sedation in police car in kennel to be handled; sedated and muzzled during exam
Evidence of Cruelty seen -
No
Evidence of Trauma seen –
No
Evidence of Neglect-
No
Objective
P = 60hr (sedated)
R = 16rr (sedated)
BCS 4/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: NSF; limited oral examination d/t muzzle; possible minor injuries in mouth d/t aggressive reactions (blood observed prior; none on exam)
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: MI (2 testicles descended in sc***um)
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Assessment:
Apparently healthy
Prognosis:
Good pending behavior assessment
Plan:
Intake procedures
0.7 ml Dexdomitor, 0.7 ml Butorphanol - IM, 0.7 ml Antisedan IM reversal
Rabies vaccine
DA2PP vaccine
Bordetella vaccine
Heartworm SNAP
Pyrantel deworm
Frontline
Microchip
Trazodone 150 mg PO BID indefinitely
Gabapentin 600 mg PO BID indefinitely
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery
9/6/2025
Wound noted at top of head on rounds - BAR, active and barking at front of kennel, ~1cm wound at dorsal head with no active bleeding or discharge, appears fresh.
Plan: No treatment, wound should heal on its own. Add clonidine 0.01 mg/kg PO BID for FAS in shelter.
9/8/2025
Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds
Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing & huffing noted
Objective:
EYES: Clear, no discharge
LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress
NASAL CAVITY: no discharge
MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions
NEURO: Appropriate mentation
ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC
PLAN: Per standing orders
-Move to iso, ppe sign & monitor log placed on kennel
-Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days
-CTM, recheck in 3 days
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* TO FOSTER / ADOPT *
If you would like to foster or adopt:
To foster or adopt a NYC ACC dog please PRIVATE MESSAGE our page at https://www.facebook.com/NYCDogsLivesmatter or email us at [email protected] so we can assist and guide you through the process.
PLEASE NOTE: To foster or adopt a NYC ACC dog you need to live within a prescribed range of New York City. States include: NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, DE, MD, MA, NH, VT, ME or Northern VA. If you are outside of this range, you have the option to “direct adopt” where you must go to the shelter “in person” to complete the adoption process. We can guide you through that process.
Shelter contact information:
Phone number (212) 788-4000
Email [email protected]
Shelter Addresses:
Queens Shelter: 1906 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385
Manhattan Shelter: 326 East 110 St. New York, NY 10029
Staten Island Shelter: 3139 Veterans Road West Staten Island, NY 10309
NYC ACC RATING SYSTEM
Level 1
Dogs with Level 1 determinations are suitable for the majority of homes.
Level 2
Dogs with Level 2 determinations will be suitable for adopters with some previous dog experience.
Level 3
Dogs with Level 3 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters.
Level 4
Dogs with Level 4 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters. It is suggested adopters have prior experience with the behaviors described.
New Hope Rescue Only
Dogs with this rating need to be pulled by a New Hope Partner Rescue. Contact our page or email us for assistance
