A Forest Hills man is criminally charged with animal cruelty for allegedly keeping four dozen dogs in deplorable conditions inside his cramped one-bedroom apartment at 102-45 62nd Road.
Isaac Yadgarov, 37, was arraigned Monday in Queens Criminal Court on a 96-count criminal complaint charging him with animal neglect and abuse after the dogs were rescued from inside his squalid apartment by the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and the NYPD on May 8 after Yadgarov was evicted from the apartment building.
“The defendant is accused of hoarding 48 Belgian Malinois in a cramped and filthy apartment filled with the animals’ excrement,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “At least three of the dogs were too sick to be saved and had to be humanely euthanized due to neglect.”
According to the charges, on May 8, rescuers from the ACC and ASPCA responded to an apartment on the seventh floor of a multi-story building two blocks south of the Long Island Expressway, where they found the dogs and puppies packed into tight spaces, including closets and cupboards inside the residence that was filled with feces, urine and debris. The number of dogs made it impossible for them to freely move around the apartment with no access to fresh air or sunlight. A strong odor of ammonia was present, making it difficult for responding officials to breathe.
“Sadly, it is not uncommon to see large-scale cruelty and hoarding cases in New York City, with too many animals living in crowded, unsanitary, and unsustainable conditions,” ACC Chief Programs Officer Ellen Curtis said. “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 to intervene before even more animals suffer.”
The NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) was present to help with the extrication of the animals from the defendant’s apartment. Three of the dogs were euthanized while the remaining animals were transferred to the ASPCA and ACC for medical evaluation, proper care and nourishment, and socialization to prepare the dogs for future foster homes and/or adoption.
Yadgarov was not present at the time of the rescue as he had been evicted from the apartment. The day prior, on May 7, the defendant allegedly agreed to surrender the dogs and digitally signed forms agreeing to the surrender. Upon the discovery of the dogs, an investigation was launched by the DA’s office and the NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad, and Yadgarov was contacted. On May 13, Yadgarov turned himself in to police at the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills.
“We must do better for the animals of this borough,” Katz said. “I thank our partners at the ASPCA, Animal Care Centers of NYC, and the NYPD for assisting in this investigation and helping to relocate the dogs to appropriate facilities.”
Yadgarov was charged with 48 counts of overloading, overdriving, torturing animals, and 48 counts of failure to provide adequate food, water, and shelter. Queens Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels ordered him to return to court on August 5. If convicted, Yadgarov faces a potential maximum sentence of up to a year in prison.
“This rescue operation is a stark reminder of the need to address and prevent animal cruelty in New York City,” ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said. “These Belgian Malinois-mixes, who represent only a fraction of the animal lives saved through our partnership with the NYPD, are finally receiving the love and care they deserve. We look forward to witnessing their journey to new homes where they will be free to experience life as a beloved pet, likely for the first time.”
