Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Accused Dog Kicker Gets Support from Co-Workers, Pet Owners
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Feb 2, 2010
Modified Feb 2, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Feb 2, 2010
Modified Feb 2, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Park Slope's Animal Kind Clinic insists ASPCA colleagues didn't tell the whole story—or much of the story at all—when they accused veterinarian John Morehead of kicking a dying Rotweiller named Bullet at the Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. In an email to Gothamist, the pet hospital that now employs Dr. Morehead wrote that he is an "exemplary" and "excellent" veterinarian, adding that "allegations of his causing a dog's death which were printed in the Daily News are false. The dog—who was aggressive toward Dr. Morehead—died of the illness he had when he arrived at the ASPCA."
Animal Kind's director Dr. Mark Gibson, along with 40 of his co-workers, signed the statement that affirmed Morehead "has never abused a patient. He has proven to be an animal lover through his behavior shown by the love of his own pets, his patients and their owners that call on him for veterinary care." In their opinion, the Daily News story was sensationalized to "sell newspapers and to persuade the ASPCA into settling a lawsuit in favor of the plaintiff."
But there's more to investigate, since the letter doesn't name Bullet's cause of death, and suggests that there was an altercation between the doctor and his canine patient, even if the alleged kicking and punching colleagues witnessed was self-defense. Some animal lovers might still take issue with him, but others whose pets have been treated by Dr. Morehead are rallying around the cause. One owner, whose dog Oliver was successfully diagnosed with seasonal allergies by Morehead, blogged, "He's goofy and sweet and totally awesome, and despite the fact he sticks thermometers up Oliver's ass, even HE loves him." "Seriously," she wrote, "Leona Helmsely would have kicked a dog sooner than Dr. Morehead.
Tagged
animal abuse
animal kind clinic
aspca
brooklyn
john morehead
park slope
veterinarian
Sabrina Jaszi
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 3:19 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .