A shocking video captured the disturbing incident where two defenseless dogs were pulled behind a vehicle while concerned witnesses contacted the authorities. The dogs, a German Shepherd named Marzipan and a pit bull named Nougat, were tethered to the back of a red Volkswagen Passat and struggled to keep pace as the car moved along the road. A horrified bystander shouted out upon witnessing the scene of the dogs being dragged behind the moving vehicle.
Nougat managed to free itself, prompting the driver to eventually load both dogs back into the car before fleeing from the scene. The New York Police Department (NYPD) was informed by witnesses after identifying the owner and driver, Dan Bujor, 68, who was reportedly driving the vehicle through Long Island. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Bujor faced charges of animal cruelty.
Katz condemned the defendant’s actions, stating that he had tied the dogs to the car and dragged them along a street in Long Island City. She expressed gratitude to the individuals who reported the incident and praised the NYPD for swiftly apprehending the defendant and securing the animals, now receiving medical care from the ASPCA.
Bujor was brought to court in Long Island City on charges that included overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, failure to provide sustenance, and driving without a license. If convicted, Bujor could be sentenced to one year in jail. The two dogs were taken to the ASPCA in Manhattan for evaluation, where Marzipan, 2 years old, was found to have a ruptured eardrum, while Nougat, estimated to be between 2 and 4 years old, had paw injuries, skin inflammation, and digestive issues.
Howard Lawrence, ASPCA Vice President of Humane Law Enforcement, described the incident as distressing and highlighted the ongoing problem of animal abuse in New York City. He expressed gratitude to the Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Upper East Side, the NYPD, and the Queens District Attorney’s Office for their swift response and support in this case.