Shocking footage has emerged of a driver allegedly dragging two dogs behind his car on a New York street, leading to his arrest on animal cruelty charges.
Horrific Incident Caught on Camera
Dan Bujor, 68, of Long Island City, is accused of tying a German Shepherd named Marzipan and a Pit Bull called Nougat to the back of his red Volkswagen Passat and driving off. The incident occurred at approximately 6pm local time on January 4, with horrified bystanders filming the scene and alerting the New York Police Department (NYPD).
In the video, the dogs can be seen struggling to keep pace with the moving vehicle. One stunned onlooker is heard shouting in disbelief at the scene. Reports indicate that Nougat eventually broke free, after which Bujor is alleged to have placed both animals inside the car before fleeing the area.
Legal Repercussions and Animal Welfare Response
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Bujor has been charged with multiple animal cruelty offences. "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 stated. She praised the witnesses who came forward and the NYPD for their swift action.
Bujor was arraigned on two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide proper sustenance, and operating a vehicle as an unlicensed driver. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 5 at Queens Criminal Court.
Dogs Receive Urgent Veterinary Care
Both dogs were seized and placed into the care of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in Manhattan for urgent medical evaluation.
The examinations revealed significant injuries:
- Marzipan, aged 2, was found to have a ruptured eardrum.
- Nougat, estimated to be 2-4 years old, sustained new abrasions on her paw pads, skin inflammation between her toes, and was suffering from diarrhoea.
ASPCA Vice President of Humane Law Enforcement, Howard Lawrence, called the footage "deeply disturbing" and highlighted it as a stark example of the ongoing issue of animal abuse in New York City. He revealed that in just the last two weeks, the ASPCA has taken in nearly 20 animals from 18 suspected cruelty cases.
The organisation expressed gratitude to the Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Upper East Side, the NYPD, and the Queens District Attorney’s Office for their rapid response, which ensured the dogs received immediate care and the alleged abuser was held accountable.
