Sign: Man Arrested After Horrified Onlookers See Him Dragging Two Dogs Behind Car

Published: January 12, 2026 at 10:06 PM Author: Animal Welfare Investigative Writer & Petition Author

Queens, New York – On the night of Sunday, January 4, horrified onlookers took matters into their own hands to stop a man who was driving a car in Long Island City with two struggling dogs tethered to the back of a red Volkswagen traveling near the intersection of 11th Street and 43rd Avenue.

Police identified 68-year-old Dan Bujor as the driver of the car. The Queens District Attorney issued a statement about the disturbing incident, confirming that an arrest was made and the dogs were seized for medical treatment:

The suspect told investigators that he tethered the dogs to the trunk of the car because, in his words, he “did not want them pooping inside the car.”

Content warning: This image/video may be disturbing to some readers.

The dogs survived the cruel ordeal, but not without injuries, which were outlined by the Queens District Attorney’s Office:

Marzipan, who is roughly 2 years old, suffered a ruptured eardrum from the terrifying ordeal. Nougat, who is estimated to be 2 to 4 years old, had abrasions on the paw pads behind her wrists, inflammation of the skin between her toes, and diarrhea.

Bujor was arraigned on January 5 on a criminal complaint charging him with two counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals; failure to provide sustenance; and driving by an unlicensed operator. Queens Criminal Court Judge Anthony Battisti ordered Bujor to return to court on March 5. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail.

Please add your name to this petition to help ensure accountability in the case against Dan Bujor. Animal Victory is calling on prosecutors to seek the maximum sentence for all charges stemming from this disturbing incident.

Decision Makers

• Assistant District Attorney Zoe Marks, District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, is prosecuting the case.

• The case is supervised by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Reid, Interim Section Chief of the Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit.

• Additional supervision is provided by Assistant District Attorney Mary Kate Quinn, Bureau Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau.

• Overall supervision is provided by Executive Assistant District Attorney Joyce A. Smith, Special Prosecutions.

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We, the undersigned, demand that Dan Bujor be held accountable for tethering two dogs to the back of a vehicle and driving in Long Island City, forcing them to struggle to keep up. It is our collective demand that Bujor face the maximum sentence for the charges of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals; failure to provide sustenance; and driving by an unlicensed operator. We also demand that this man be permanently banned from owning, residing with, or working with animals. Laws must recognize the seriousness of animal abuse and ensure that those who commit these acts are held fully accountable. This case is not just about two dogs who were tethered behind a moving car; it is about the precedent we set for justice.

This petition is based on information from police and public officials. Details may change as investigations continue. If charges are modified, dropped, or expunged, Animal Victory will update upon verified documentation. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Some images are illustrative when real photos are unavailable, restricted, or cannot be legally used. Our priority is accuracy, responsibility, and protecting the dignity of the animals involved.

Note: Dan Bujor was released without bail, likely because New York’s bail reform laws no longer allow cash bail for most misdemeanor charges, including animal cruelty. Under these laws, defendants are usually released unless prosecutors can show they are a flight risk. Bujor has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear back in court on March 5, 2026. At this time, no additional updates are available. 

News

Press Release from Queens District Attorney’s Office

PIX 11

NBC New York

New York Post

Update: Dan Bujor’s next hearing is scheduled on June 18, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. E.S.T. Judge is TBD. Case #CR-000605-26QN

Update: Defendant Dan Bujor is scheduled for June 17, 2026, Judge is TBD at 9:00 a.m. Queen’s Criminal Court. Case #CR-000-605-26QN

Update 4/2/2026: Next hearing for Defendant Dan Bujor is scheduled for May 8, 2026, Judge is TBD at 9:00 a.m. Queen’s Criminal Court. Case #CR-000-605-26QN

Update 3/9/2026: Next scheduled appearance for Dan Bujor is April 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Queen’s Criminal Court. Judge TBD/Case #CR-000-605-26QN

Update 1/14/2026: Queens Criminal Court Judge Anthony Battisti ordered Bujor to return to court on March 5. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail.