Latest news with #BelgianMalinois
New York Post
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Erie police officer, police dog escape serious injury in May 31 crash on city's east side
An Erie Bureau of Police officer and his K-9 partner escaped serious injury but their vehicle was heavily damaged when police said an unlicensed driver crashed into them on Erie's east side on May 31. According to Police Chief Dan Spizarny, the officer and his canine partner were traveling south on Parade Street on May 31 when another vehicle struck them. The other vehicle, which police said was driven by a 24-year-old woman, was making a left turn when she crashed into the Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle at about 9:50 p.m. May 31, Deputy Chief William Marucci said. The impact caused all of the police vehicle's airbags to deploy, police reported. The officer and the dog were shaken up but not seriously injured, according to Spizarny and Marucci. The driver of the other vehicle was found to be driving without a license and was taken for chemical testing, Spizarny and Marucci said. Erie police on June 2 were still awaiting word on whether the Chevolet Tahoe was totaled in the crash, Marucci said. No charges had been filed in the crash as of June 2. The K-9 officer, his dog and the Chevrolet Tahoe have been working patrol shifts in Erie for about a month. Erie police obtained the dog and two other Belgian Malinois police dogs, along with patrol vehicles and other associated equipment, through state grant funding. The dogs and their handlers underwent training in Ohio before hitting the streets in Erie in early May, Marucci said. More: Erie police have three new K-9 officers. When they'll be on patrol Each of the dogs is trained in patrol duties, and two of the dogs are also trained for drug detection and one is additionally trained for explosives and gun detection, police reported. Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie police officer, police dog escape serious injury in crash
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Puppy farmer locked up after dogs he was ordered to give up ‘disappeared'
She said the council had not seized the dogs and had no knowledge as to their current whereabouts. A puppy farmer has been jailed for three months after three dogs, a Belgian Malinois, a Collie and a Shih Tzu he was ordered to surrender 'disappeared.' Dog Breeder PJ Rigney appeared before Tullamore District Court on Wednesday a week after he had been remanded in custody by Judge Andrew Cody for failing to surrender the animals. At the sitting, Judge Cody expressed surprise that Rigney, was present in person before the court. The judge asked Rigney's solicitor how his client had managed to secure his freedom. PJ Rigney Rigney's solicitor responded that the High Court granted his release on foot of an application by Barry White SC. Judge Cody responded: 'It is quite unusual that a person would be remanded in custody pending sentence.' Judge Cody next inquired if Rigney had complied with a previous court order which required him to sign over ownership of three dogs that were found at his property to the local authority or a rescue organisation. The solicitor said Rigney had been unable to do so as the three dogs had 'disappeared.' Judge Cody then asked 'where the three dogs had disappeared to' and whether Rigney had filed a complaint with gardai. The solicitor responded that Rigney had not alerted the gardai but had called Offaly County Council in the belief the council had seized the dogs. Solicitor Emily Mahon, acting on behalf of Offaly County Council, confirmed they had received such a call from Rigney but said the council had no knowledge of the matter. She said the council had not seized the dogs and had no knowledge as to their current whereabouts. The solicitor then requested that Mr Rigney be ordered to pay a fine of €3,600 and be disqualified for life from owning dogs. Rigney's solicitor argued that this sentence would be unduly harsh. He further claimed that the three dogs were Mr Rigney's elderly mother's pets and she had been consistently asking 'where her dogs ' were in the wake of their disappearance. Opposing a ban on keeping dogs he said Rigney lived in a rural area and needed dogs for protection and farming. He claimed that Mr Rigney was a 'man of limited means' and as a result any fine would likely 'remain unpaid. Judge Cody responded that Rigney had a 'rental property from which he derived a rental income' so this could be drawn upon to settle any court order fine. This rental was used to pay Rigney's 'significant debts' defence replied. Judge Cody sentenced Mr Rigney to three months in jail, disqualified him from keeping dogs for life and ordered him to pay a fine of €3,600 to Offaly County Council. Rigney lodged an appeal to the sentence. PJ Rigney News in 90 Seconds - June 1st In October of 2021, Rigney was served with a closure notice alleged he had been illegally running a dog-breeding establishment, housing dogs in substandard accommodation, in a yard off Circular Road, in Daingean, Offaly. According to a closure order published by the Council on October 1st that year Mr Rigney was not registered to run such a facility. Outlining the grounds on which he considered Mr Rigney's operation "poses a serious and immediate threat to animal welfare", Offaly County Council Veterinary Inspector Aidan Grant wrote: "The premises in which the dogs are kept and management of same are far below required of a registered dog-breeding establishment.' Mr. Rigney was subsequently convicted and fined in the District Court. He subsequently appealed that order but the order was upheld.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Video shows military dog reunite with former handler after retirement
The pair first met in 2021 and traveled the world together, "completing two dozen security missions, including assignments protecting Presidents Biden and Trump," American Humane Society (AHS), a nonprofit animal welfare organization, which assisted in the reunion, said in a news release. "Using Attila's extraordinary nose to detect potential threats, the team protected civilians, their fellow service members, and high-profile VIPs, including Presidents Biden and Trump," AHS said. Some of those missions included the 2023 United Nations General Assembly Summit, the 2024 NATO Summit, and the Inauguration of President Trump in January 2025. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Watch Attila reunite with Markert in an emotional reunion Video footage shared by AHS shows the family, consisting of Markert, his wife, 5-year-old son, 7-month-old daughter and two pet dogs -- Bear, a black German shepherd, and Mia, a Belgian Malinois -- welcoming Attila with cuddles and kisses to his new forever home on May 26 in Colorado Springs. Attila developed health complications after being separated from owner When Kameron Markert got reassigned to a new base in Colorado Springs in March 2025, he and Attila were separated after being together for almost three and a half years. When Markert left Fort Meyer in Virginia, he recalled "leaving half of his heart behind." However, soon after Markert left, Attila, despite being relatively young, was forced into an early retirement due to a series of health complications, including a cancerous tumor on his rear that had to be removed, along with renal and kidney diseases, AHS said. "Like many German shepherds, Attila also developed hip dysplasia," AHS said, adding Markert had rallied for Attila's disposition "to help ensure his continued health and safety." When the time for Attila's retirement came, Markert eagerly stepped in with the hope of giving Attila the comfortable retirement he deserved. However, transporting the animal over 1,500 miles from Virginia to Colorado posed a major logistical challenge, especially since the family had just covered a 27-hour cross-country drive with two young children for their move. From Virginia to Colorado Markert, who was aware of AHS' military program and knew of other handlers who had successfully reunited with their retired military dogs through the program, reached out to the organization for assistance. An AHS expert then "personally picked up Attila from Fort Carson and escorted him on a flight to Colorado, where the canine veteran enjoyed his own seat in the cabin of the airplane--all at no cost to the Markerts," the news release said. AHS said it will also fund Attila's veterinary care for the rest of his life, as part of the program. Markert also shared that while Attila "has always been exceptionally gentle and tender with his 7-month-old daughter," the German shepherd is "more playful and affectionate" with his son. "My wife is already 'mama' to him, he is so gentle with our kids, and he loves to play with our other dogs. He fits right into our family," Markert said. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
