A horrifying video caught a Queens man allegedly dragging two helpless dogs behind his car as he drove through Long Island City Sunday evening — alarming onlookers who quickly called the cops, according to authorities.
The disturbing clip showed the pair of pups, a German Shepherd named Marzipan and a pit bull named Nougat, tied up by their leashes to the back of a red Volkswagen Passat and struggling to keep up as the car drives to the intersection of 11th Street and 43rd Avenue around 6 p.m., according to the footage and prosecutors.
“What are these motherf–kers doing to this dog, man? They’re dragging him from the back of the f–king car, bro,” a shocked bystander can be heard shouting in the video taken by a witness, according to PIX 11.
Nougat became unhooked from the car, and the driver allegedly snatched up the dogs, put them in the car, and fled the scene, officials said.
A witness contacted the NYPD, and officers arrested the 68-year-old driver, Dan Bujor, and removed Nougat and Marzipan to be examined at the ASPCA in Manhattan.
Bujor was arraigned Monday night on two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide sustenance and driving by an unlicensed operator for the disturbing incident caught on camera, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Tuesday.
Marzipan, who is roughly 2 years old, suffered from a ruptured eardrum from the terrifying ordeal. Nougat, who is estimated to be 2 to 4 years old, had abrasions on the paw pads behind her wrists, inflammation of the skin between her toes, and diarrhea, officials said.
“The footage of this incident is deeply disturbing and serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of animal abuse in New York City,” ASPCA Vice President of Humane Law Enforcement Howard Lawrence said in a statement.
“In the last two weeks alone, the ASPCA has taken in nearly 20 animals from 18 suspected cruelty situations,” Lawrence said.
Bujor pleaded not guilty and was released without bail at his arraignment. He is slated to return to court on March 5, according to court records.
He faces up to one year behind bars if convicted.
“As alleged, the defendant tied a German shepherd and a pit bull to the back of a car and dragged them down a Long Island City street,” Katz said in a statement.
“I thank the good Samaritans who came forward to report this cruel act and the NYPD for quickly apprehending the defendant and seizing the animals, which are now under the medical treatment of the ASPCA,” Katz continued.
“We are grateful that the dogs survived and their alleged abuser will now be held accountable in our court system.”
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