If anyone still wonders why New Yorkers are fed up with cruelty going unchecked, a horrifying scene out of Queens offers a brutal reminder.
On Sunday evening in Long Island City, stunned witnesses watched as two dogs were allegedly dragged behind a moving car—tied by their leashes and struggling to survive—while the driver rolled through city streets as if nothing mattered at all.
The disturbing video, which quickly spread online, shows a German Shepherd named Marzipan and a pit bull named Nougat being pulled behind a red Volkswagen Passat near the intersection of 11th Street and 43rd Avenue around 6 p.m., according to prosecutors and footage from the scene.
One bystander could hardly believe what he was seeing. “What are these motherf–kers doing to this dog, man? They’re dragging him from the back of the f–king car, bro,” the witness shouted in the video, according to PIX11.
At one point, Nougat reportedly became unhooked from the vehicle. Instead of stopping immediately and calling for help, authorities say the driver grabbed both dogs, tossed them into the car, and took off.
Thankfully, someone did the right thing.
A witness contacted the NYPD, and police soon arrested Dan Bujor, 68, who officials say was behind the wheel. Officers removed the injured dogs and rushed them to the ASPCA in Manhattan for emergency evaluation.
The damage was real—and heartbreaking.
Marzipan, just about 2 years old, suffered a ruptured eardrum from the terrifying ordeal. Nougat, estimated to be between 2 and 4 years old, sustained abrasions on the paw pads behind her wrists, inflammation of the skin between her toes, and diarrhea, according to officials.
ASPCA Vice President of Humane Law Enforcement Howard Lawrence didn’t mince words.
“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,” Lawrence said.
“In the last two weeks alone, the ASPCA has taken in nearly 20 animals from 18 suspected cruelty situations,” he added.
Bujor was arraigned Monday night on two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide sustenance, and driving as an unlicensed operator, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.
Despite the graphic video evidence, Bujor pleaded not guilty and was released without bail—a familiar outcome in a city where accountability too often comes last. If convicted, he faces up to one year behind bars.
Katz praised the bystanders and police who intervened.
“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,” she said. “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.” She added: “We are grateful that the dogs survived and their alleged abuser will now be held accountable in our court system.”
