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QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — A shocking case of animal abuse was caught on camera, showing two dogs being dragged behind a car while being tied to the trunk.
The German shepherd and pit bull mix are at the ASPCA as an animal cruelty investigation continues. People who know the dog’s owner say he would never intentionally put them in danger.
Video of the incident has sparked widespread outrage online and got the attention of the Queens district attorney. In the footage, bystanders can be heard reacting in shock as the dogs are dragged behind a moving car.
One witness is heard saying, “What are these motherf—ers doing to this dog, man? They’re dragging him from the back of the f—ing car, bro.” Another voice adds, “Look. Look at him gagging.”
Authorities identified the driver as Dan Bujor, 68. The video shows his two dogs tied to the back of the car on Sunday night. Horrified witnesses stopped Bujor at 11th Street and 43rd Avenue in Long Island City to intervene on behalf of the animals.
A man who identified himself as a friend of Bujor said he had lent Bujor his car for a quick errand.
“I’ve never seen anything like that. They’re like tied together, the three of them,” the man said.
According to court documents, Bujor told police he tied the dogs to the trunk because, “I did not want them pooping inside the car.” The friend called the incident “a lapse of judgment,” adding that losing the dogs “is going to kill him.”
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The 2- and 4-year-old dogs were taken to the ASPCA in Manhattan, where they received veterinary exams and are now undergoing medical and behavioral care. The ASPCA said the dogs were treated for a ruptured left eardrum, were overweight, and had new abrasions to their paw pads and inflammation of the skin.
Jennifer Brooks, who runs NYC Second Chance Rescue and knows Bujor, described the video as disturbing. “Something like that you see in third-world countries where there’s little education,” Brooks said. She added that Bujor had previously asked her about adopting animals.
After the video was posted on social media, police arrested Bujor. Brooks said public attention played a role. “Make noise about it. The more attention it gets, that’s the way it has to be,” she said.
The ASPCA must determine legal ownership of the dogs, Nougat and Marzipan, before they can be put up for adoption. Its director said 20 animals have been rescued from cruel conditions in the past two weeks alone.
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