68-Year-Old Dan Bujor Arrested After Dragging Two Dogs Leashed to Back of Car in Queens

A disturbing case of alleged animal cruelty unfolded in Queens after authorities arrested a 68-year-old man accused of dragging two dogs behind his car through a residential neighborhood. The incident, which occurred in Long Island City, prompted alarm among witnesses and led to criminal charges after bystanders intervened and alerted police. Prosecutors say the man, Dan Bujor, tied the dogs to the trunk of his vehicle and drove for several blocks, claiming afterward that he did not want the animals to soil the interior of his car.

The case has drawn attention not only for the unusual circumstances under which the dogs were transported but also for the visible injuries they sustained and the role of civilians in preventing further harm. According to law enforcement officials and court records, the episode took place on a Sunday evening near the intersection of 11th Street and 43rd Avenue.

Dan Bujor, who lives out of a converted school bus parked nearby, was taken into custody and charged with multiple counts related to animal cruelty as well as driving without a license. The dogs involved, later identified as Marzipan and Nougat, were rescued and transported to an animal hospital, where veterinarians documented injuries consistent with being dragged on pavement. While Bujor was released after arraignment due to the charges not being bail eligible, the incident has raised serious questions about animal welfare, enforcement, and public vigilance.

Incident in Long Island City Draws Witness Attention

Prosecutors with the Queens District Attorney’s Office said the incident occurred around 6 p.m. when a witness noticed a Volkswagen Passat moving slowly through the area with two dogs leashed to its trunk. The animals were forced to run behind the vehicle as it traveled for approximately two blocks. Although the car was not speeding, witnesses said the dogs appeared frightened and distressed, drawing immediate concern from people nearby.

One of those witnesses, Piamsook Homrod, described seeing the dogs as “very tame, timid and a little scared.” Alarmed by what she observed, Homrod called 911 while others in the area attempted to intervene directly. A group of about eight civilians reportedly tried to stop the car by knocking on its windows, stepping in front of the vehicle, and attempting to free the dogs as Dan Bujor continued driving.

As the Volkswagen passed through an intersection, one of the leashes reportedly detached from the trunk, allowing one of the dogs, Nougat, to break free. At that point, Dan Bujor pulled over to the side of the road and attempted to retrieve the animal. According to Homrod, several bystanders confronted him, urging him to stop and questioning his actions. She recalled Dan Bujor telling them not to worry and asserting that the dogs were accustomed to being transported in that manner.

Heartbreaking animal cruelty unfolded in Queens, NYC, when a 68 year old driver was caught dragging two dogs tied to the back of his car through traffic near the Pulaski Bridge in Long Island City.

Quick acting bystanders stepped in, stopped the vehicle, and freed the terrified… pic.twitter.com/Zeh3IigBs0

— The Kind Joe (@TheKindJoe) January 6, 2026

Despite the confrontation, Dan Bujor was able to get the dogs back into the car and drive away before police arrived. The brief but highly visible episode left witnesses shaken and determined to ensure the situation did not go unresolved. Homrod said she and others decided to search the neighborhood in their own vehicle, eventually locating Bujor’s car parked near a converted school bus that he uses as a residence. Police were then directed to the location, leading to his arrest.

Arrest, Charges, and Statements to Investigators

Authorities arrested Dan Bujor later that evening and charged him with several offenses, including overdriving animals, torturing and injuring animals, and failure to provide proper sustenance. He was also charged with driving without a valid license. These charges stemmed from the manner in which the dogs were transported and the injuries they sustained, as well as Bujor’s admission regarding his actions.

According to a criminal complaint, Dan Bujor told investigators that he had tied the dogs to the car because he did not want them “pooping inside the car.” He also made statements suggesting that the dogs were familiar to people in the neighborhood and were well-liked. “Everyone knows my dogs,” Bujor was quoted as saying. “Everyone loves my dogs.”

Read : Nathan Blaine Sues Tesla Alleging Model X Crash Killed His Wife, Two Daughters, Son-in-Law, and Family Dog

Court records indicate that Marzipan, a 2-year-old German Shepherd mix, was obtained by Dan Bujor in Pennsylvania, while Nougat, a pit bull mix estimated to be between 2 and 4 years old, was taken in after being abandoned by a neighbor. Despite these claims of familiarity and care, prosecutors argued that the method of transporting the animals placed them at serious risk and caused physical harm.

The charges against Bujor are classified as not bail eligible under New York law, meaning he was released following his arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on Monday. His case is expected to proceed through the court system, where the allegations and evidence will be reviewed. The outcome could include penalties related to animal cruelty offenses, which are treated seriously under state law, particularly when injuries are documented.

Condition of the Dogs and Public Reaction

After Bujor’s arrest, the dogs were taken to the ASPCA Animal Hospital and Adoption Center on East 92nd Street in Manhattan for evaluation and treatment. Veterinary staff reported that Marzipan suffered a ruptured left eardrum, while Nougat was treated for abrasions on her paw pads and wrists. Nougat also exhibited inflammation of the skin between her toes and symptoms of diarrhea, suggesting physical stress and injury consistent with being dragged along a roadway.

Witnesses expressed strong reactions to what they saw, emphasizing that the dogs’ demeanor and physical state contradicted claims that they were accustomed to such treatment. Homrod said she observed Nougat drooling excessively after breaking free, which she interpreted as a sign of distress. She also rejected the idea that the animals were unharmed or comfortable, stating that no reasonable person would transport dogs in that manner.

The incident has sparked broader discussion about animal welfare and the responsibility of bystanders. In this case, civilians played a critical role by attempting to stop the vehicle, contacting authorities, and assisting police in locating the suspect after he left the scene. Their actions ensured that the dogs received medical attention and that the alleged behavior was formally addressed.

Animal welfare advocates often stress that dragging or tethering animals to moving vehicles, even at low speeds, can cause severe injuries, fear, and long-term trauma. Pavement can quickly tear paw pads, leashes can tighten unpredictably, and animals may be unable to keep pace, leading to falls or choking hazards. The injuries documented in this case underscore those risks.

As the legal process moves forward, the dogs remain under veterinary care, and their long-term placement has not yet been publicly detailed. The case serves as a reminder of the legal protections in place for animals and the importance of public awareness in reporting suspected cruelty.

While Dan Bujor maintains that his actions were misunderstood, prosecutors and witnesses contend that the evidence reflects unnecessary and harmful treatment, making the incident a significant example of how quickly everyday situations can escalate into serious criminal matters when animal safety is compromised.