Months after a horrifying incident where two dogs were tied to the back of a car and dragged through a Long Island City street, the pair has bounced back and is finally being prepared for adoption, rescuers say. The German shepherd and pit bull, known around the neighborhood as Marzipan (Marley) and Nougat (Miss Noogie), spent months in specialized veterinary and behavioral care after the video of the attack lit up social media and sparked outrage across Queens. Their recovery marks an unexpected bright spot in a case that led to criminal charges earlier this year.
From viral video to new homes
According to the New York Post, the dogs were moved into longer-term rehabilitation and, after months of treatment, have now been cleared to begin the adoption process. Staff at the facility have been working to prepare Marzipan and Nougat for life with new families, focusing on both medical recovery and behavioral stability before placing them in permanent homes.
How the dragging unfolded
The Queens District Attorney’s Office laid out the disturbing sequence of events: on Jan. 4, a witness reported seeing a red Volkswagen Passat driving near 11th Street and 43rd Avenue with two leashed dogs tied to the car’s trunk. Prosecutors later charged 68-year-old Dan Bujor with counts including overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and failure to provide sustenance. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “We are grateful that the dogs survived and their alleged abuser will now be held accountable in our court system.”
Medical care and rehabilitation
Initial veterinary examinations in the city revealed that Marzipan had suffered a ruptured eardrum, while Nougat was left with abrasions on her paw pads, inflammation between her toes, and digestive upset, according to NBC New York. After those first assessments, both dogs were transferred for longer-term treatment at the ASPCA Recovery & Rehabilitation Center in Pawling, which is designed to handle medically and behaviorally complex animal cruelty cases.
Adoptions and the court case
With their medical holds now lifted, Marzipan and Nougat are being readied for adoption while they remain under professional care. The criminal case against Bujor is still active in Queens Criminal Court and, according to prosecutors, carries a potential sentence of up to one year if he is convicted.
Background on coverage
Hoodline first covered the January arrest and the immediate neighborhood reaction, and this July update follows months of coordinated work by city agencies and nonprofit partners. For now, Marzipan and Nougat will stay in ASPCA care until suitable adopters are approved and the court process reaches its next steps.
