Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Isaac Yadgarov was arraigned on a 96-count criminal complaint charging him with animal neglect and abuse for allegedly keeping 48 dogs inside of a cramped, filthy one-bedroom apartment on 62^nd Road in Forest Hills. The animals were found and rescued on May 8 by members of the ASPCA, Animal Care Centers of NYC and NYPD following Yadgarov’s eviction from the apartment.

District Attorney Katz said: “The defendant is accused of hoarding 48 Belgian Malinois in a cramped and filthy apartment filled with the animals’ excrement. At least three of the dogs were too sick to be saved and had to be humanely euthanized due to neglect. We must do better for the animals of this borough. 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.”

“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,” said Ellen Curtis, Chief Programs Officer at Animal Care Centers of NYC. “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 us intervene before even more animals suffer.”

“This rescue operation is a stark reminder of the need to address and prevent animal cruelty in New York City,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president & CEO. “The ASPCA is thankful to have the comprehensive and compassionate support of our partners at Animal Care Centers of NYC to address complex animal welfare issues citywide. 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.”

Yadgarov, 37, of 62^nd Road in Forest Hills, was arraigned today before Queens Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels on a 96-count criminal complaint charging him with 48 counts of overloading, overdriving, torturing animals and 48 counts of failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter.

Judge Daniels ordered the defendant to return to court on August 5. If convicted, Yadgarov faces a potential maximum sentence of up to a year in jail.

According to the charges, on May 8, 2025, members of the ASPCA, along with members of the Animal Care Centers of NYC responded to an apartment on the seventh floor of a multistory building on 62^nd Road in Forest Hills. There they observed 48 Belgian Malinois dogs in a cramped apartment filled with feces, urine and debris. The number of dogs present at the location made it impossible for them to freely move about the apartment. A strong odor of ammonia was present that made it difficult for the responding officials to breathe.

The NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) was present to help with the extrication of the animals.

Following the rescue, three of the dogs required humane euthanasia. The remaining animals were transferred to the ASPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC for medical evaluation, proper care and nourishment as well as 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 members of the Queens District Attorney’s office and NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad and the defendant was contacted.

On May 13, the defendant surrendered at a local precinct.

Assistant District Attorney Justin Bobko, of the District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Nicole Reid, Interim Supervisor of the Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Mary Kate Quinn, Bureau Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Special Prosecutions Joyce A. Smith.