Queens hoarder could face 1 year behind bars for keeping 48 dogs in filthy, cramped ‘hell hole': prosecutors
A cruel Queens hoarder is facing up to a year behind bars for allegedly cramming nearly 50 dogs inside his filthy one-bedroom apartment that a neighbor described as a 'hell hole,' prosecutors said.
Isaac Yadgarov, 37 – who allegedly crowded 48 Belgian Malinois dogs into the foul-smelling unit on 62nd Road in Forest Hills – was arraigned Monday on a 96-count indictment accusing him of animal abuse and neglect, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.
'We must do better for the animals of this borough,' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
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When animal welfare officials responded to Yadgarov's seventh-floor apartment on May 8, they discovered an inhuman scene — the poor pooches packed together in the feces, urine and debris-strewn space, prosecutors said.
5 Isaac Yadgarov, 37, was arraigned on a 96-count indictment for allegedly crowding 48 Belgian Malinois dogs into his one bedroom Forest Hills apartment.
ACC NYC
Some of dogs were stuffed into closets and cupboards or packed into tight spaces with no access to fresh air or sunlight, according to the Animal Care Centers of NYC – which called the disturbing scene 'one of the most heartbreaking hoarding cases we've ever seen.'
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Members of the ASPCA and the ACC weren't able to move around the apartment because of the large number of dogs, and struggled to breathe because of the stench of ammonia from the urine-soaked surroundings.
5 The Animal Care Centers of NYC called the scene 'one of the most heartbreaking hoarding cases we've ever seen.'
Carol Aulick/ABMR
The dogs were rescued with the help of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit.
One neighbor previously told The Post that it seemed unimaginable that so many dogs were packed into the squalid space.
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'We all assumed there were two or three dogs in there, we would never have imagined that they were that many, we never saw them ever, anywhere,' he said.
'It seems like a hell hole,' the neighbor added. 'They never saw the light of day, because we would know if they were walked.'
5 Some of the dogs were stuffed in closets and cupboards with no access to fresh air on sunlight, according to the ACC.
Carol Aulick/ABMR
Another neighbor, who identified herself as Sharon, said the floor always had a foul odor.
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'It always smells like that here and I always hear them barking, barking, and he throws poop out of his balcony,' she said. 'As far as I know, as we all know, he neglects his dogs. … If he takes them out in the elevator, it smells so bad, they pee on the staircase.'
Three of the badly neglected pups needed to be euthanized, while the rest were taken to the ASPCA and ACC, where they were medically evaluated, fed and socialized to prepare them for future foster homes or adoption.
5 The cramped apartment was filled with urine, feces and debris, prosecutors said.
Carol Aulick/ABMR
Some were eventually transferred to Posh Pets Rescue, a non-profit on Long Island, according to the organization.
'These Belgian Malinois-mixes – who represent only a fraction of the animal lives saved through our partnership with the NYPD – are finally receiving the love and care they deserve,' ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said in a statement.
Yadgarov was not home at the time the dogs were removed, because he had been evicted from his apartment, according to the DA's office.
5 Yadgarov was released on his own recognizance because the animal abuse and neglect charges are not bail-eligible.
Carol Aulick/ABMR
A day earlier, he allegedly signed forms agreeing to the surrender of his dogs, prosecutors said.
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He turned himself in on May 13, and faces 48 counts of overloading, overdriving, torturing animals, as well as 48 counts of failure to provide adequate food, water and shelter.
Judge Edward Daniels released Yadgarov on his own recognizance during his Monday arraignment, as the charges were not bail-eligible.
His next court date is Aug. 5, and he could spend up to a year behind bars if convicted.
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NYPD Finds 48 Dogs Living in Squalor in 1-Bedroom Apartment: 'Surrounded by Filth'
48 Belgian Malinois dogs were allegedly found crammed into a one-bedroom Queens apartment, according to the borough's district attorney Rescuers say the animals were crammed into closets, cages and cabinets with feces covering the floors The former tenant, whose alleged animal hoarding was discovered upon his eviction, now faces 96 counts of animal cruelty and up to a year behind barsThe floor was allegedly slick with feces, the air so thick with ammonia rescuers struggled to breathe. And tucked into closets, cabinets and every corner of a Forest Hills apartment were 48 Belgian Malinois dogs — malnourished, matted and barely surviving. Now, their alleged keeper is facing nearly 100 counts of animal cruelty. Isaac Yadgarov, 37, turned himself in on May 13 and was arraigned on 96 misdemeanor charges for animal neglect and failure to provide proper sustenance, according to a statement from Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Officials say the horror was uncovered on May 8, when the NYPD, ASPCA and NYC's Animal Care Centers responded to a seventh-floor apartment after Yadgarov was evicted. Inside, responders allegedly found a hoarding scene "beyond comprehension," with dogs crammed into closets, cages and even kitchen drawers. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Three of the dogs were so ill they had to be euthanized, per the remainder are in the care of local shelters receiving medical treatment and food."The defendant is accused of keeping dozens of dogs in unsanitary and deplorable conditions, unable to move freely and surrounded by filth," Katz said. "Animals are voiceless and vulnerable and deserve to be treated with basic care and decency." Yadgarov allegedly told investigators he was planning to surrender the dogs voluntarily, but after his eviction, he disappeared. If convicted, he faces up to a year behind bars. For now, rescuers say the dogs are beginning their long road to recovery. "They've suffered so much," one official said, per an ASPCA statement. "But at least they're safe now." Read the original article on People
New York Post
4 days ago
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Queens hoarder could face 1 year behind bars for keeping 48 dogs in filthy, cramped ‘hell hole': prosecutors
A cruel Queens hoarder is facing up to a year behind bars for allegedly cramming nearly 50 dogs inside his filthy one-bedroom apartment that a neighbor described as a 'hell hole,' prosecutors said. Isaac Yadgarov, 37 – who allegedly crowded 48 Belgian Malinois dogs into the foul-smelling unit on 62nd Road in Forest Hills – was arraigned Monday on a 96-count indictment accusing him of animal abuse and neglect, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office. 'We must do better for the animals of this borough,' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. Advertisement When animal welfare officials responded to Yadgarov's seventh-floor apartment on May 8, they discovered an inhuman scene — the poor pooches packed together in the feces, urine and debris-strewn space, prosecutors said. 5 Isaac Yadgarov, 37, was arraigned on a 96-count indictment for allegedly crowding 48 Belgian Malinois dogs into his one bedroom Forest Hills apartment. ACC NYC Some of dogs were stuffed into closets and cupboards or packed into tight spaces with no access to fresh air or sunlight, according to the Animal Care Centers of NYC – which called the disturbing scene 'one of the most heartbreaking hoarding cases we've ever seen.' Advertisement Members of the ASPCA and the ACC weren't able to move around the apartment because of the large number of dogs, and struggled to breathe because of the stench of ammonia from the urine-soaked surroundings. 5 The Animal Care Centers of NYC called the scene 'one of the most heartbreaking hoarding cases we've ever seen.' Carol Aulick/ABMR The dogs were rescued with the help of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit. One neighbor previously told The Post that it seemed unimaginable that so many dogs were packed into the squalid space. Advertisement 'We all assumed there were two or three dogs in there, we would never have imagined that they were that many, we never saw them ever, anywhere,' he said. 'It seems like a hell hole,' the neighbor added. 'They never saw the light of day, because we would know if they were walked.' 5 Some of the dogs were stuffed in closets and cupboards with no access to fresh air on sunlight, according to the ACC. Carol Aulick/ABMR Another neighbor, who identified herself as Sharon, said the floor always had a foul odor. Advertisement 'It always smells like that here and I always hear them barking, barking, and he throws poop out of his balcony,' she said. 'As far as I know, as we all know, he neglects his dogs. … If he takes them out in the elevator, it smells so bad, they pee on the staircase.' Three of the badly neglected pups needed to be euthanized, while the rest were taken to the ASPCA and ACC, where they were medically evaluated, fed and socialized to prepare them for future foster homes or adoption. 5 The cramped apartment was filled with urine, feces and debris, prosecutors said. Carol Aulick/ABMR Some were eventually transferred to Posh Pets Rescue, a non-profit on Long Island, according to the organization. 'These Belgian Malinois-mixes – who represent only a fraction of the animal lives saved through our partnership with the NYPD – are finally receiving the love and care they deserve,' ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said in a statement. Yadgarov was not home at the time the dogs were removed, because he had been evicted from his apartment, according to the DA's office. 5 Yadgarov was released on his own recognizance because the animal abuse and neglect charges are not bail-eligible. Carol Aulick/ABMR A day earlier, he allegedly signed forms agreeing to the surrender of his dogs, prosecutors said. Advertisement He turned himself in on May 13, and faces 48 counts of overloading, overdriving, torturing animals, as well as 48 counts of failure to provide adequate food, water and shelter. Judge Edward Daniels released Yadgarov on his own recognizance during his Monday arraignment, as the charges were not bail-eligible. His next court date is Aug. 5, and he could spend up to a year behind bars if convicted.
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4 days ago
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Man accused of hoarding 48 dogs in dirty Queens apartment: DA
FOREST HILLS, Queens (PIX11) — A Queens man is accused of hoarding dozens of dogs in a filthy, cramped apartment, three of which were too sick to be saved, authorities said. Isaac Yadgarov, 37, was arraigned Monday on animal neglect and abuse charges for allegedly keeping 48 Belgian Malinois in his one-bedroom apartment on 62nd Road in Forest Hills, according to prosecutors. More Local News On May 8, officials allegedly found the animals living in a tiny apartment filled with feces, urine, and debris. The dogs were unable to move around in the small space. After the rescue, three dogs were euthanized, and the others were taken to the ASPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC for medical treatment and eventual adoption, according to court records. Yadgarov had allegedly agreed to surrender the dogs the day before the rescue and was not in the apartment because he had been evicted, prosecutors said. He surrendered to police about a week later. Yadgarov was charged with 48 counts of overloading, overdriving, torturing animals, and 48 counts of failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, authorities said. 'Sadly, it is not uncommon to see large-scale cruelty and hoarding cases in New York City, with too many animals living in crowded, unsanitary, and unsustainable conditions,' said Ellen Curtis, chief programs officer at Animal Care Centers of NYC. Yadgarov is due back in court on Aug. 5 and faces up to a year in jail if convicted, prosecutors said. His attorney could not be reached Monday. Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
