A Queens man is facing significant charges related to animal cruelty after allegedly keeping 48 dogs in poor conditions, the Queens District Attorney's Office reports. The defendant, Isaac Yadgarov, was arraigned on a 96-count complaint which includes accusations of neglect, overloading, overdriving, and torturing the animals, in addition to failing to provide them with adequate care.
Officials from the ASPCA, Animal Care Centers of NYC, and NYPD found the Belgian Malinois dogs on May 8 in a cluttered one-bedroom apartment, the floors covered with feces and urine, after responding to an eviction notice at the residence on 62nd Road in Forest Hills. An undeniable stench of ammonia infiltrated the air, making it difficult for the rescuers to breathe, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office. Three of the dogs were in such poor health that they had to be euthanized.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the gravity of the situation: "We must do better for the animals of this borough." Ellen Curtis of the Animal Care Centers of NYC added, "These cases place tremendous strain on animal welfare organizations, but we are grateful for the support and partnership of the Queens District Attorney’s Office in holding individuals accountable and helping us intervene before even more animals suffer," as per the press release.
The rescue operation, which included support from the NYPD Emergency Service Unit, highlights the ongoing issue of animal cruelty in New York City. The remaining dogs are currently receiving medical evaluations and socialization to prepare them for adoption.
Yadgarov, who was not present during the rescue operation, had agreed to surrender the dogs the day before the animals were discovered. He is facing charges that, if convicted, could lead to a maximum sentence of a year in jail. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin Bobko, under the guidance of several senior prosecutors dedicated to animal cruelty cases.
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