An Allerton mother is demanding justice after her 11-year-old daughter was beaten up and her daughter’s puppy brutally kicked during a daylight attack on Monday, Sept. 22. A local clergy leader alleged the beating was carried out by a gang of girls who have assaulted at least three victims and have been terrorizing teens, seniors, and businesses in the community.

 

The assault took place at 5.45 p.m. on Sept. 22, at the corner of Waring Avenue and Holland Avenue in Allerton. Hours before a press conference with the girl’s family and supporters was held on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the NYPD announced the arrest of a 15-year-old girl who was charged in connection with the incident.

 

People familiar with the incident said around two dozen boys and girls watched the assault as it happened.

A police spokesperson told Norwood News, “It was reported to police that an 11-year-old female complainant was assaulted by three females who punched her in the face and kicked her multiple times in the head. The victim was also hit with a rock. EMS transported the victim to Jacobi Hospital.”

 

The spokesperson made no mention of the assailant who kicked the girl’s puppy named “Leo,” as seen in a video later obtained by Norwood News. It shows the 11-year-old victim being beaten to the ground by two of the three girls, while one also kicks Leo and the dog is seen flying through the air several feet before landing on his feet and running under a parked car.

 

At the press conference, held at the same corner where the attack took place, Bishop Boyde Singletary, pastor of the Alpha & Omega Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, located on East 139th Street, said, “There is more than one culprit here that did this heinous crime.”

Neliana Garcia, the mother of the assaulted girl, later pleaded, “That’s not fair! My daughter was just walking her dog and they are a gang! They are minors but they are a gang. This needs to be stopped! Today, it’s my daughter but tomorrow it can be yours.”

 

Garcia said that her daughter, who suffers from epilepsy, has suffered daily seizures since the attack and has not left her home or eaten since it occurred. Meanwhile, she said Leo remains hospitalized with internal injuries.

 

Another woman, Sarah Velez, alleged her 17-year-old daughter was also attacked by the same group of girls on Allerton Avenue on Aug. 30 but so far has not filed a police report. She said her daughter was headed to pick up food when teens began to pelt her with mangos. She said her daughter called her and she was ultimately able to stop the attack.

Minister Irene Estrada, a former resident of Allerton for over 45 years, and the Conservative Party mayoral nominee in the upcoming general election, also attended the press conference and said, “I’m asking all of my community on Allerton Avenue. If you’re watching [reading], you need to turn these girls in, or they need to turn themselves in because they’re going to find you.”

 

When asked if he felt the current penalties for animal cruelty were sufficient in New York, Singletary replied, “They need to be strengthened, absolutely!”

 

Theresa, an elderly woman and resident of Waring Avenue, said she recalled the attack, telling Norwood News, “I saw the blood on the floor and the ambulance came.” Asked if she felt safe generally in the area, Theresa replied, “Yes, I feel safe.”

 

Nonetheless, upon further reflection, in reference to teen-on-teen violence generally in the area, she added, “There’s no police in the schools.” She said she feels more police generally in the area was needed. She added, “They run in the street like crazy.”

Read our latest Inquiring Photographer feature for details of current animal cruelty penalties. According to the NYPD, three complaints of animal cruelty were filed from January to July 2025 in the 49th Precinct, which covers Allerton, Morris Park, Van Nest, Pelham Parkway, Eastchester Gardens, and Pelham Gardens, and two arrests were made. In the nearby 48th Precinct, which covers Belmont, East Tremont, and West Farms, as well as Fordham University’s Bronx campus, there were 12 complaints filed from January to July 2025, and one arrest.

 

Norwood News recently reported on a severe animal cruelty case in Belmont where several undernourished and abused dogs were found inside an apartment following a report of animal cruelty witnessed by a neighbor. Citywide, there were 258 complaints of animal cruelty during the same timeframe and 83 arrests.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.