Latest news with #TaraMercado
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
40 Dogs Rescued From NYC Apartment Were Found 'Inside Closets And Cupboards'
Dozens of dogs were rescued after being found living in 'total confinement for their entire lives,' inside a New York City apartment, allegedly never setting foot outside, the Animal Care Centers (ACC) of NYC announced Friday. The ACC's rescue operation in coordination with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found dogs ranging from young puppies to fully grown adults packed in tight spaces, according to the release. Some were discovered inside closets and cupboards with no fresh air. ACC's Tara Mercado said the dogs allegedly 'lived in total confinement for their entire lives.' 'We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture,' Mercado said. Police officials in Queens told the New York Post that the dog owner had been evicted and a criminal investigation has been opened. Neighbors told the outlet that the dogs were all living on the seventh floor of an apartment building and observed the owner frequently tossing feces off his balcony. 'It always smells like that here and I always hear them barking, barking, and he throws poop out of his balcony,' neighbor Natalia Ruales told the outlet. '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.' The dogs were evaluated following their rescue, but medical and behavioral experts determined that they were 'extremely fearful, under socialized, and in need of long-term behavioral support.' 'They've likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger,' ACC's Dr. Biana Tamimi said in the release. 'Every new sound, every human interaction, is overwhelming. But we're already seeing glimmers of curiosity — and that gives us hope.' Toddler Who Wandered Miles From Home, Spent Night In Desert Saved By Very Good Dog Dogs Have Love Languages, Too. Here's What They Are And How To Figure Out Your Pet's. 13 Changes Veterinarians Would Never Ignore In Their Dogs
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
40 Belgian Malinois Dogs Found Crammed into Cabinets and Closets of N.Y.C. Apartment During Rescue
In May, the ACC and ASPCA rescued 40 Belgian Malinois dogs from filthy, overcrowded conditions in a Queens, New York apartment Rescuers believe many of the dogs had never gone outside before they were removed from the apartment None of the dogs are currently available for adoption as they undergo medical evaluations and recovery Dozens of Belgian Malinois dogs are enjoying their first opportunity to touch grass after a shocking rescue. According to a May 9 release from the Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC), the organization and ASPCA recently rescued 40 Belgian Malinois dogs from a "filthy, overcrowded" apartment in N.Y.C. Rescuers found the dogs crammed inside cabinets, closets, and other spaces "with no access to fresh air or sunlight." The ACC believes, per its release, that many of the rescued dogs, who range from fully grown adults to young puppies, had never been outside prior to their rescue. "These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives," Tara Mercado, ACC's director of behavior and shelter operations, detailed in a statement. "We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture." Senior staff members from the ACC and ASPCA apartments removed the dogs from the apartment and brought them to shelter facilities to decompress and receive health checks. All of the dogs will be medically evaluated to determine their next steps. "They've likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger, Dr. Biana Tamimi, ACC's director of shelter medicine, said of the dogs. "Every new sound, every human interaction, is overwhelming. But we're already seeing glimmers of curiosity — and that gives us hope." According to the ACC's release, many of the Belgian Malinois dogs will require long-term care before they are ready to be adopted because they are fearful and undersocialized from their upbringing. The ACC needs help making room for this new influx of dogs, especially since their shelters are already overcapacity. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We need help from the community," the ACC shared in a Facebook post about the Belgian Malinois rescue. "We are now at over 200 dogs in our Queens Care Center — with an additional 175 in our Manhattan and Staten Island Care Centers. We are currently running a fee-waived adoption special for all dogs over 40 lbs." The ACC and ASPCA are not handling this case alone; other animal lovers reached out to provide assistance before the ACC shared news of the rescue on social media. "Several breed-specific rescues have already offered their assistance in finding homes," Jessica Vacarro, ACC's director of placement, said. The release added that while the rescued dogs adjust to their new lives outside the crowded apartment, authorities are part of an ongoing investigation into how the pets ended up in those dire conditions. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dozens of Dogs Found ‘Crammed' in Apartment in Shocking Scene
If you're a dog person, or just an animal lover in general, we must warn you that this post is going to be infuriating. Animal rescue workers in New York recovered nearly 50 Belgian Malinois in a "filthy, overcrowded apartment," according to reports. The good news is that despite the circumstances, all of the dogs who were found are still alive. Workers from the Animal Care Centers of NY and ASPCA were called to the home on 62nd Street in Forest Hills, Queens on Thursday after being informed that the pet owner had been evicted and needed to surrender his dogs. What they found upon arrival was horrifying. According to the New York Post, they found more than 40 dogs, from puppies all the way to full grown adults, living inside the home. Some of the dogs were "crammed" into closets, cupboards and other confined areas. 'These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives,' said Tara Mercado, ACC's director of behavior and shelter operations. 'We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture.' All in all, it took two full days to transfer all of the dogs to nearby shelters. None are available yet for adoption, as officials caution it may take some time for the dogs to be ready for a forever home given their lack of social interaction and fearful nature. 'They've likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger,' Dr. Biana Tamimi, ACC's director of shelter medicine, told the Daily News. 'Every new sound, every human interaction, is overwhelming. But we're already seeing glimmers of curiosity — and that gives us hope.' The dogs' owner was not home at the time of the recovery. The New York Police Department Animal Cruelty Squad has launched an investigation into this matter. Belgian Malinois, or Belgian Shepherds, are expected to be around two feet tall fully grown and weigh between 60-80 pounds as an adult male or 40-60 pounds as an adult female, per the American Kennel Club. Many are used by police as K-9 dogs, which makes sense since the AKC describes the breed as a "world-class worker who forges an unbreakable bond with his human partner."
CBS News
10-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
40 dogs found living in filthy New York City apartment, animal rescue organization says
Dozens of dogs were found living in unsanitary conditions in a Queens apartment this week, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said. The ASPCA partnered with the Animal Care Centers of New York City on Thursday and Friday to rescue 40 Belgian Malinois, the ACC said. According to the ACC, the dogs had no access to fresh air or sunlight, and they had allegedly never been outside before. "These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives," ACC Director of Behavior and Shelter Operations Tara Mercado said in a statement. "They've likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger," ACC Director of Shelter Medicine Biana Tamimi said in a statement. According to the ACC, the ages of the dogs ranged from young puppies to adults. The dogs are currently being evaluated and treated by the ACC and the ASPCA. The ACC said none of the dogs are available for adoption at this time. The NYPD is investigating. ACC in desperate need of fosters, adopters The rescue happened as the ACC is running out of space to take in more animals in need, the organization said. The ACC said their Queens location is caring for over 200 dogs – nearly triple their capacity – and the organization is caring for another 175 dogs between its Manhattan and Staten Island locations. The organization is looking for people willing to foster dogs, especially medium-to-large dogs, for a minimum of two weeks. Additionally, adoption fees at all ACC locations are being waived for dogs weighing more than 40 pounds. For more information about fostering and adopting, visit
