Queens Man Faces Charges for Dog Hoarding
A man from Queens is facing up to a year in prison following the discovery of nearly 50 dogs in his unhygienic one-bedroom apartment. Neighbors described the living situation as a “hole of hell.”
Isaac Yadgarov, 37, was arrested on Monday and is hit with 96 counts of neglect concerning the 48 Belgian Malinois dogs found cramped in his residence on Road 62 in Forest Hills.
“We need to do better for the animals in this borough,” stated Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
When animal welfare officials responded to Yadgarov’s apartment on May 8, they found a heartbreaking sight: dogs crammed into tight spots filled with feces, urine, and debris.
The NYC Animal Care Center reported that some dogs were stuffed into closets and small spaces, where they couldn’t access fresh air or sunlight.
Agents from the ASPCA and ACC had difficulty navigating the apartment due to the number of dogs and the overpowering smell of ammonia from the urine-soaked conditions.
Officers with the NYPD’s emergency services helped in the rescue efforts.
A neighbor expressed disbelief at the situation, saying, “We all thought there were just two or three dogs. We never imagined there would be that many.”
Describing the apartment, the neighbor remarked, “It seems like a hellish hole. They’ve likely never seen the light of day.”
Another neighbor, who identified herself as Sharon, noted that a persistent foul odor permeated the hallway. “It always smells like that here, and I hear them barking all the time. He even throws poop out of his balcony.”
Due to severe neglect, three puppies had to be euthanized, while the remaining dogs were taken to the ASPCA and ACC. There, they received medical attention, food, and socialization to prepare for future adoptions.
Ultimately, the rescued dogs were transferred to Posh Pets Rescue, a nonprofit organization based on Long Island. Matt Bershadker, the president and CEO of ASPCA, commented on the situation, stating that these dogs are just a fraction of those saved through collaboration with the NYPD.
According to the District Attorney’s office, Yadgarov was not at home when the dogs were taken. It seems he had been removed from his apartment just before the event.
Yadgarov was released without bail during his arrest, as the charges were not classified as bail offenses. He reportedly signed a document agreeing to surrender the dogs a day prior.
He faces multiple charges, including 48 counts of neglect and torture, with his next court date set for August 5. If convicted, he could face a year in prison.
