Two dogs that were cruelly dragged behind a car on a New York City street are finally healed, safe, and waiting for real families who will treat them with the care and respect their former owner denied them.
Story Snapshot
- Two abused dogs, Marzipan and Nougat, have recovered after being dragged behind a car in Queens.
- The dogs received months of medical care and behavioral rehab through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
- Queens prosecutors charged the driver, who faces up to one year in jail for animal cruelty if convicted.
- The case has fueled calls for tougher penalties and real accountability in New York animal cruelty laws.
Dogs Survive Horrific Dragging And Begin New Lives
Earlier this year in Long Island City, Queens, a bystander caught video of two dogs tied by their leashes to the rear of a maroon car and forced to run behind it as the driver moved through the neighborhood. The clip quickly spread online, shocking viewers across the country and triggering immediate calls to police. Officers with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) tracked down the driver, 68-year-old Dan Bujor, and seized the dogs so they could get emergency care.
Prosecutors say Bujor tied a young German shepherd and a pit bull mix to the back of the car and dragged them down a city street. According to reports, he allegedly did this because he did not want the animals defecating inside the vehicle, a rationale that outraged animal lovers and everyday New Yorkers alike. The dogs, later named Marzipan and Nougat, were taken to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Manhattan, where veterinarians found painful injuries but, thankfully, no life-threatening damage.
Medical Damage Shows Real Cost Of “Minor” Abuse
Veterinary exams described injuries that put the lie to any claim this was harmless or accidental. Marzipan, the German shepherd, suffered a ruptured eardrum, a trauma usually caused by intense force or pressure. Nougat, the pit bull mix, had fresh abrasions on her paw pads, skin inflammation between her toes, and other stress-related symptoms, including diarrhea. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals later confirmed that both dogs needed ongoing treatment and careful monitoring as they began to recover from the ordeal.
Even after the worst physical wounds faded, the emotional scars remained. Staff at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Recovery and Rehabilitation Center in Pawling, New York, described Marley, a nickname used for Marzipan, as “extremely fearful” when she first arrived, cowering in the back of her kennel and avoiding human contact. Over time, with patient handling, calm routines, and help from more confident “helper” dogs, she slowly learned to trust again and now shows a shy but playful side, chasing balls and learning simple tricks.
ASPCA Care And A Second Chance At Family Life
Both dogs were moved to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Recovery and Rehabilitation Center about ninety minutes north of New York City. The facility opened in late 2025 to expand treatment for animals rescued by the NYPD and other agencies and has already handled dozens of cruelty cases. The center gave Marzipan and Nougat space away from city noise, along with steady medical care and behavior support, so they could heal without further stress or chaos.
Nougat, described as an adventurous and food-loving dog, has been thriving in a foster home during her recovery. Caregivers say she enjoys snacks, naps, and exploring new environments, and now appears ready for a stable home where those simple joys are normal, not rare treats. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is now seeking permanent adoptive families for both dogs, emphasizing that they deserve patient owners who will give them structure, affection, and a life far removed from city streets and car bumpers.
Weak Penalties And Growing Anger Over Cruelty Laws
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz charged Bujor with counts including overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failing to provide proper sustenance, and operating a vehicle without a license. Court documents show he pleaded not guilty and could face up to one year in jail if convicted, a maximum that many animal advocates consider far too low for what the video appears to show. He was reportedly released on his own recognizance soon after arraignment, which added fuel to public anger over lenient treatment in cruelty cases.
Two dogs dragged by heartless owner behind car on NYC street have recovered, are ready for new homes https://t.co/1E5GJ8yoiR pic.twitter.com/ox12cmFcYG
— New York Post (@nypost) July 24, 2026
A petition campaign launched after the incident argues that New York’s penalties for animal abuse are outdated and do not reflect how serious this kind of crime really is. Supporters point out that, in just two weeks, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took in nearly twenty animals from suspected cruelty situations, suggesting a broader problem that goes beyond this single driver. For many conservatives, this case illustrates a familiar pattern: graphic abuse, light charges, and a system that seems quicker to excuse offenders than to protect the vulnerable.
Sources:
nypost.com, yahoo.com, instagram.com, youtube.com
