New York City’s parks and waterfronts should be places of peace, recreation, and community. They should not be scenes of animal mutilation.

In neighborhoods near Jamaica Bay and Spring Creek Park, residents have repeatedly reported the remains of chickens, pigs, rats, and other animals left behind after suspected ritual killings. These incidents are disturbing, unsanitary, and deeply troubling to families who use these public spaces.

New York already has animal cruelty laws on the books. But when violations result in minimal consequences or inconsistent enforcement, the message is clear: accountability is optional.

That must change.

We call on the New York City Council and the bipartisan Animal Welfare Caucus, chaired by Councilman Harvey Epstein, to review and strengthen city code so that illegal animal killings in public spaces are clearly prohibited, consistently enforced, and subject to meaningful penalties.

At the same time, we urge the NYPD and NYC Parks Department to prioritize enforcement in areas where these incidents are recurring. Public parks are shared spaces funded by taxpayers. They must be safe, sanitary, and free from unlawful animal cruelty.

This effort must be carried out with respect for constitutional protections while making clear that cruelty, public health hazards, and environmental damage will not be tolerated.

Stronger laws mean little without enforcement. Enforcement means little without clarity.

New Yorkers deserve clean parks, humane treatment of animals, and real accountability for those who violate the law.

Sign this petition to urge city leaders to strengthen and enforce animal cruelty protections in New York City.