Nick Santino, Struggling Soap Opera Actor, Commits Suicide After Euthanizing Dog
Nick Santino, a struggling soap opera actor, apparently took his own life last week after he euthanized his dog due to pressure from his condo association.
Nick, who appeared on All My Children and Guiding Light, was found dead in his New York residence just a day after he put down beloved pit bull, Rocco
"Today I betrayed mand put down my best friend," Santino, 47, wrote in a suicide note. "Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn't deserve this."
Santino, who was raised in an orphanage and foster homes, adopted Rocco from a shelter several years ago, and wrote fondly of his dog on his Facebook page.
"I did not rescue Rocco, Rocco rescued me," he once wrote.
But in 2010, Santino began to have issues with residents in his building, after a strict dog regulation policy was announced, which included a ban on pit bulls.
The ban didn't affect residents who already had pit bulls in the building, many of Nick Santino's neighbors reportedly weren't fond of Rocco, and complained.
"He felt like he was in this battle because he was the only guy in the building with a pit-bull mix," Santino's neighbor, Kevin Clearly, told the New York Post.
"He was distraught and remorseful about putting down his best friend."
It was much worse than anyone thought. After making a call to his former girlfriend at about 2 a.m. Wednesday, police found Santino's body in his bedroom.
He passed away from an apparent overdose on pills. R.I.P.
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February 7th, 2012 2:25 AM
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February 1st, 2012 11:18 PM
I did not know him, and I am sorry he's dead! But the man must have been out of his mind to kill himself over a dog! You know what?! The dog theory was just an excuse for him to kill himself. First of all, he did not have to kill his dog because the dog was making too much noise, according to the neighbors. There were other options. He was an actor, probably with some money stashed away. He could have taken the dog to a dog farm and pay someone to look after the dog, for example. And he could have visited the dog. Or he could have moved where it would not have been a problem for him to have a dog. But unfortunately, he must have been suffering from some form of mental defect. All the same, may his soul rest in peace.
February 1st, 2012 8:56 PM
@James, I understand that pets are NOT people too and that is obvious but if you look at it from someone's point of view that loves their pet as 'family', like I do then clearly you would understand the common saying. I love my dog like it is my child and could understand what he could of been going through but I could think of numerous different paths that could of saved both his life and his dog. Sad
February 1st, 2012 1:31 PM
Taking your life will not bring your pet's life back. Instead of putting the dog down he should have moved or given the dog to another loving owner. Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. Life is too precious to squander.
January 31st, 2012 6:03 PM
This story made me sick! That is horrible and to be honest he was unstable to put the poor dog down over other idiots. I hope they are happy together in heaven. Sick and sad story really....
January 31st, 2012 12:03 PM
@Pauk Kravitz, I agree with you that this is a tragedy, but pets are not people. They are animals. It is literally impossible for you to be right about that
January 31st, 2012 10:18 AM
I was fortunate to know and live next door to Nick prior to him moving. Knew him and Rocco well. Even my cat Madiosn loved them. How tragic People forget pets are people too. They are together again and hopefully in a haoppier place
January 30th, 2012 9:28 AM
OMG this is so sad. I love my dog also. I know how he felt, but he was allowed to keep his dogs. So I would have said screw the neighbors. All dogs go to heaven, and God bless this man....
January 30th, 2012 8:04 AM
Omg this is very sad. Couldn't he give the dog away to a friend? So upsetting when someone takes their own life. Rest in peace.