A 1-year-old family dog named Hazel is recovering after an unprovoked stabbing in New York City’s Union Square on December 26, 2025. Orly Nhaissi and her 13-year-old son Elijah were walking Hazel around 7 p.m. when a man allegedly jabbed her in the butt with a knife featuring a pink sheath and black blade, then smiled and fled. The family rushed her to a pet hospital for emergency surgery costing $3,200, where she received stitches, bandages, and a drainage tube.
Attack Details
Elijah initially mistook the weapon for a vape but realized it was a knife larger than a pocket knife. He briefly chased the smiling suspect but returned at his mother’s call, fearing further harm. NYPD responded to a 911 call near E. 14th Street and 5th Avenue around 9 p.m. for animal cruelty, but no arrests have been made as the investigation continues.
Hazel’s Recovery
Hazel underwent hours-long surgery and returned home around 2 a.m. on December 27, with photos showing stitches and a blood drainage system. The family expects full recovery in three months despite heavy bleeding in their building lobby, aided by the doorman and neighbors. They described Hazel as their first dog and a source of pure joy.
