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New York Post
02-06-2025
- New York Post
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.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Queens baby girl dies after being bitten by family dog
A 6-week-old baby girl died in Queens early Tuesday after the family dog, a Pit Bull mix puppy, bit her, cops said. The infant was sleeping between her mother and stepfather inside the family's apartment in NYCHA's Queensbridge North Houses when the couple woke up about 6:30 a.m. to the puppy biting the baby's face, cops were told. The infant died at the scene on 12th St. near 41st Ave. in Long Island City. The city's Animal Care Centers of NYC were called in to take the puppy, as well as another dog in the apartment. A large dog crate was seen outside the apartment as cops closed off the crime scene. No arrests have been made.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Total confinement': Dozens of dogs found crammed into cabinets, cupboards in NYC apartment
[Attached video: Goddard's Law] NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (WJW) — Dozens of dogs were discovered stuffed inside cabinets and cupboards and crammed into tight spaces inside a New York City apartment. Canton parents wanted for death of 3-year-old Animal Care Centers of NYC posted a news release to Facebook on May 9 stating that 40 Belgian Malinois dogs were living in 'filthy, overcrowded conditions,' and many had no access to fresh air or sunlight. According to the organization, many of the dogs, including puppies and full grown adults, had likely never stepped foot outside. 'These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives,' Tara Mercado, ACC's director of behavior and shelter operations, said. 'We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture.' Fully grown Malinois males can weigh up to 80 pounds while females can reach up to 60 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club. The breed is known for its intelligence, energy and need for stimulation. The dogs were swiftly removed from the apartment and taken to a shelter to be evaluated. Most of the rescued animals are described as 'extremely fearful' and 'undersocialized,' the news release said. 'They've likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger,' said Dr. Biana Tamimi, ACC's director of shelter medicine. 'Every new sound, every human interaction, is overwhelming. But we're already seeing glimmers of curiosity — and that gives us hope.' 5 injured, including kids, in morning crash on I-71 The dogs are not currently available for adoption and will need long-term behavioral support, the organization said. An investigation into the incident is underway. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NYPD rescues lucky dog from East River; searches for its owner or adopter
The NYPD is still searching for the owner of a lucky pup who was rescued from the East River — or hoping to catch the attention of a possible adopter. A trio of Harbor Unit officers who responded to the 911 call Sunday morning spoke at a press conference at the Brooklyn Army Terminal about the retrieval of the small white pooch from the frigid waters off the South Street Seaport. 'We happened to be not too far away at the time and, as we approached, we saw a woman kind of waving and pointing to a sailboat that was docked in the water,' said Jared Desalvo, a 10-year NYPD veteran. 'As we got closer, you can see there is a small white object,' he said. 'And when we got even closer, we could tell it was a white dog with a pink harness.' Desalvo noted the delicate nature of the rescue, adding it was made difficult because the frightened Maltese was swimming in circles. 'It's definitely an urgent situation,' he said. 'It's a small dog, the water can be a little rough over there and it's even difficult for person to even swim in there.' Despite wearing a harness, there were no collar or tags on the dog, and it had not been microchipped. How the pup got into the water remains a mystery, Desalvo said. 'It's a tough spot over there because there is no place to get easily in or out of the water for anybody because it's just high piers,' he said. Officer Jenny Driscoll, another 10-year veteran of the NYPD, said the drenched pooch was visibly glad to be in the rescue boat. 'When we got it out of there it looked relieved,' she said. Officer Joseph Pascone, who also has been with the NYPD for 10 years, said the little Maltese looked fatigued and was shivering when they were finally able to get it inside the boat. 'When we first see it, I was thinking where did it come from?' he said. 'Because that area, there's no way for a dog to get into the water. So I was thinking, where did it come from and how long it has been there? 'When we seen it close up, it looked very tired, so it seems it was in there for a little while,' he said. Pascone expressed gratitude to the good Samaritan who called 911. 'We want to thank the person who called,' he said. 'If he or she didn't call, we might have not seen the dog. So it's a good thing when the community sees something, they say something. It helps us out a lot.' The pooch was initially passed off to the 1st Precinct and then brought to the East Harlem location of the Animal Care Centers of NYC. The owner of the dog is currently being sought, Pascone said. After a waiting period the dog will be available for adoption. 'Hopefully, it gets reunited with the owner,' Pascone said. 'If not, it goes to a loving family.'
