2 weeks ago
'Pet massacre' allegations hit Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed
A person named Abdul El-Sayed wants to be a senator for Michigan.
He used to be in charge of health in the city of Detroit.
Part of his job was watching over the place that takes care of lost dogs and cats.
Some people say that place was not nice to animals.
A worker there said animals were kept dirty and did not get enough food or medicine.
She said many dogs died in their cages and that workers checked each morning to see which animals had survived the night.
Records show that many dogs and cats were put to sleep during that time.
Mr. El-Sayed's team says things got better, because more animals were saved by the end of his time in charge.
Some people are upset that a big animal group called PETA has not said anything about it.
People are arguing about whether he did a good job or not.
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faces renewed scrutiny over 'pet massacre' allegations from his tenure as Detroit Health Director.
Records cited by the Daily Mail indicate up to 4,680 dogs and cats were euthanized during the period surrounding his tenure.
Detroit Animal Care and Control's live-release rate rose from about 20%-26% in 2015 to about 61%-62% by late 2016, an improvement his campaign points to.
Former Detroit Animal Control officer Brittany Roberts filed a whistleblower lawsuit in October 2015 alleging unhygienic conditions, inadequate food and medical care, and animals dying in cages.
Animal rights advocates are questioning PETA's response, with users on X calling on the organization to address the controversy and explain its silence.
- Who
- Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee and former Detroit Health Director, and former Detroit Animal Control officer Brittany Roberts, who filed the whistleblower lawsuit.
- What
- Allegations that over 4,000 dogs and cats were euthanized and mistreated at Detroit Animal Care and Control during El-Sayed's tenure as Health Director.
- Where
- Detroit, Michigan.
- When
- During El-Sayed's tenure starting in 2015, with the whistleblower lawsuit filed in October 2015 and figures reported through late 2016.
- Why
- Concerns about animal care conditions and high euthanasia numbers after Detroit Animal Control was transferred from the Detroit Police Department to the Health Department headed by El-Sayed.
Critics and Whistleblowers
El-Sayed Campaign and Supporters
Detroit animal control record
Critics and Whistleblowers
Records show up to 4,680 dogs and cats were euthanized, and a former officer alleges animals were kept in unhygienic conditions, deprived of adequate food and medical care, with some dying in their cages.
El-Sayed Campaign and Supporters
The campaign points to improvement: DACC's live-release rate increased from about 20%-26% when El-Sayed inherited the operation in 2015 to about 61%-62% by late 2016.
PETA's response
Critics and Whistleblowers
Animal rights advocates question PETA's response to the allegations, with users on X calling on the organization to address the controversy and explain its silence.
El-Sayed Campaign and Supporters
No response from PETA is reported in the articles, leaving its position unstated.
Key facts
- Candidate
- Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee
- Animals euthanized (reported)
- Up to 4,680 dogs and cats
- Euthanized in first full calendar year
- 1,056 dogs and 29 cats
- DACC live-release rate in 2015
- About 20%-26%
- DACC live-release rate by late 2016
- About 61%-62%
- Whistleblower lawsuit
- Filed October 2015 by former officer Brittany Roberts
- Agency transfer
- Detroit Animal Control moved from Police Department to Health Department
Quotes
Brittany Roberts
Former Detroit Animal Control officer and whistle‑blower
“I felt ashamed to be part of a system in which numerous dogs died in their cages.”
wionews.com
Abdul El‑Sayed
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee and former Detroit Health Director
“We have made significant progress, increasing live‑release rates to 61‑62%.”
wionews.com










