Long Island City residents witnessed a disturbing scene Sunday evening when a man allegedly dragged two dogs behind his car,prompting a swift police response and animal welfare examination.
Dogs Dragged Through Queens Streets in Shocking incident
A 68-year-old man faces animal cruelty charges after witnesses filmed him allegedly dragging two dogs with a car.
- dan Bujor, 68, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty.
- The dogs, a German Shepherd named marzipan and a pit bull named Nougat, are receiving veterinary care.
- Witnesses captured video of the incident, which quickly circulated online.
- Bujor pleaded not guilty and was released without bail, with a court date set for March 5.
What constitutes animal cruelty under New York law? New York defines animal cruelty as any act that causes unneeded pain, suffering, or death to an animal.This includes acts of omission, such as failing to provide adequate food, water, or shelter, as well as acts of commission, like physical abuse.
The incident unfolded around 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2024, when multiple 911 calls reported a man dragging two dogs with a vehicle along 44th Drive in long Island City. Responding officers arrived on the scene and quickly apprehended the suspect, identified as Dan Bujor, 68, of College Point.
Responding officers arrested Dan Bujor, 68, and transported Nougat and Marzipan to the ASPCA in manhattan for examination. Bujor was arraigned Monday night on two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, as well as charges of failure to provide sustenance and operating a vehicle without a valid license, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.
Veterinary assessments revealed that marzipan, approximately 2 years old, suffered a ruptured eardrum. nougat, estimated to be between 2 and 4 years old, presented with abrasions on her paw pads and wrists, inflammation between her toes, and diarrhea, officials stated.
“The footage of this incident is deeply disturbing and serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of animal abuse in New York City,” said Howard Lawrence, ASPCA Vice President of Humane Law Enforcement, in a statement.
Bujor entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment and was released without bail. he is scheduled to reappear in court on March 5, according to court records. If convicted, he could face up to one year in jail.
“As alleged,the defendant tied a German shepherd and a pit bull to the back of a car and dragged them down a Long Island City street,” Katz said in a statement. “I thank the good Samaritans who came forward to report this cruel act and the NYPD for quickly apprehending the defendant and seizing the animals, which are now under the medical treatment of the ASPCA. We are grateful that the dogs survived and their alleged abuser will now be held accountable in our court system.”
