68-Year-Old NYC Man Arraigned After Disturbing Dog-Dragging Video

New Delhi, January 8, 2026: A horrific act of animal abuse has sent shockwaves through New York City after a 68-year-old man was caught on camera dragging two dogs behind his moving vehicle. On January 4, 2026, a bystander in Long Island City, Queens, captured a chilling video of a red Volkswagen Passat driving down the street with a German Shepherd and a Pit Bull tied to the trunk. The footage, which quickly went viral, showed the animals struggling to keep pace with the car, sparking an immediate wave of public outrage and a swift police investigation.

The Apprehension of Dan Bujor

The driver, identified by authorities as Dan Bujor, was apprehended by the NYPD shortly after the incident was reported by multiple “Good Samaritans.” According to the Queens District Attorney, Melinda Katz, the 68-year-old was found a few blocks away still holding the two dogs by their leashes. Upon being questioned by officers, Bujor allegedly offered a stunningly callous justification for his actions, stating that he tied the dogs to the exterior of the car because he “did not want them pooping inside.” He was also found to be operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

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Medical Report: Marzipan and Nougat’s Injuries

The two dogs, a two-year-old German Shepherd named Marzipan and a young Pit Bull named Nougat, were immediately seized and placed under the care of the ASPCA. Medical examinations revealed that both animals suffered significant physical trauma. Marzipan was found to have a ruptured eardrum, while Nougat suffered from painful abrasions on her paw pads, inflammation between her toes, and severe distress. Veterinary teams are currently providing ongoing treatment to ensure their recovery from the physical and emotional scars of the ordeal.

Criminal Charges and Legal Proceedings

On January 6, 2026, Dan Bujor was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on multiple charges, including two counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, as well as failure to provide sustenance and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. While the charges were not bail-eligible under current New York laws, the judge ordered Bujor to return to court on March 5. If convicted of the top charges, the 68-year-old faces up to one year in jail. District Attorney Katz praised the community for their quick thinking, asserting that “cruelty toward defenseless animals will not be tolerated in our borough.”

A Call for Stronger Animal Protections

This incident has reignited a fierce debate regarding animal cruelty laws in New York City. Advocacy groups have pointed out that the ASPCA has taken in nearly 20 animals from suspected cruelty situations in the first two weeks of 2026 alone. Many are calling for stricter sentencing for those who treat pets as “disposable objects” rather than living beings. As Marzipan and Nougat begin their journey toward healing, the viral video remains a grim reminder of the vital role that vigilant citizens play in holding animal abusers accountable.