In loving memory

Neelu

A memorial for our beloved boy, taken from us on February 16, 2026 in Sunnyside, Queens.

His story

About Neelu

Neelu was a beloved Italian Greyhound and a cherished member of his family in Sunnyside, Queens. His name — Neelu — means blue in Urdu, a nod to his beautiful blue-gray coat. He was gentle, playful, and deeply loved.

February 16, 2026

Neelu was killed on a Monday walk in Sunnyside.

On Monday, February 16, 2026, at approximately 12:53 PM, Neelu was on a walk with his mom near 47th Avenue and 39th Place in Sunnyside, Queens. It was the middle of the day in the middle of the neighborhood — a walk they had taken countless times.

A man had been standing on the corner with two large Cane Corso dogs— one fawn, one black — held together on a single Y-shaped leash. As Neelu and his mom walked past, both dogs began lunging. The man slipped, fell, and lost his grip on the leash entirely.

The two dogs were on Neelu in seconds. They bit into his torso and would not release. Neelu's mom was bitten trying to shield him with her own body. The handler of the dogs who witnessed the attack rushed in and physically wrestled the dogs off Neelu. Two women at the scene helped Neelu's mom — injured and in shock — into a cab to the nearest animal hospital.

Neelu was taken into emergency surgery that lasted more than six hours. Surgeons removed his spleen, portions of his lungs, and parts of his gastrointestinal tract. He was placed in the ICU in critical condition. His family stayed and waited through the night.

On February 17, the veterinary team told the family what they had been fearing: Neelu's injuries were too severe. He could not be saved. His mom and dad were with him as he was put to rest. He died surrounded by the people who loved him.

Neelu's mom was treated in the emergency room for her bite wounds and received tetanus and rabies shots — because to this day, the vaccination status of the attacking dogs remains unknown. She works with her hands for a living. The injuries will cost her at least two weeks of lost work and income, on top of thousands of dollars in emergency veterinary bills, on top of the loss that no amount of money addresses.

Neelu did not have to die. The dogs that killed him were uncontrolled, in the hands of someone who could not hold them, on a street where families and their pets walk every day. And as the family would soon learn, the people responsible had no intention of being held accountable.

Seeking accountability

We tried everything.

In the days after Neelu's death, his family did everything the system asks of you. They filed a police report at the 108th Precinct. They filed a 311 dangerous dog complaint. They filed an animal bite report with the Department of Health's Animal Bite Unit. They canvassed every business near the attack for camera footage and obtained multiple angles. They met with the handler of the dogs at the precinct. They recorded a phone call from "Lindy," a woman who called from a private number claiming to be the owner of the dogs.

They consulted with lawyers who said that since Neelu is considered property, the matter should be taken to small claims court. They reached out to elected officials. They posted in community forums asking for help identifying the dogs and their owner.

The owner of the dogs has refused to provide their information to Neelu's parents. They have offered cash compensation to bury this incident. The family declined. They are not looking for a payout — they want accountability and for those responsible to take responsibility.

Despite doing everything right, the family has been met with silence from the system and evasion from the people responsible.

The system is not equipped.

Police filed a minimal report

The 108th Precinct was dismissive of the incident because a human was not seriously harmed. A dog was killed. A woman was bitten. That was not enough.

Dept of Health has not responded

The family filed an animal bite report with the Department of Health's Animal Bite Unit. To this day, they have not received a response.

Police refused a statement from the handler of the dogs

The man handling the dogs at the time of the attack came to the 108th Precinct and wanted to provide a statement. The police refused to take it. Even when the responsible party cooperates, the system does not allow for it.

Human not harmed = no case

Under current law, dogs are treated as "property." You can have slight injuries and emotional trauma. You can have your dog die in front of you. But only if the human victim loses an arm does the law care. This is a recipe for disaster.

The bigger picture

This isn't just about Neelu.

In New York City, if your dog is attacked and killed by another dog, there is almost no legal path to accountability. Dogs are classified as property. The law is not equipped to handle these cases. Neelu's story is one of many — and it will keep happening until the law changes.

Learn about Penny's Law and the fight to change this →

Support Paws for Justice — a grassroots movement in New York advocating for stronger state laws and public safety measures.

How You Can Help

Do you recognize these dogs?

These are the Cane Corso dogs involved. Harley and Bane are the two dogs that directly attacked and killed Neelu. Kane is associated with the same owner. If you recognize any of these dogs or their owner, please contact us.