NYC Driver Dragged Two Dogs Behind His Car—Petition Demands Permanent Animal Ownership Ban
In a disturbing case of animal cruelty that shocked New York City, a man tied two dogs—a German shepherd and a pit bull—to the back of his car and dragged them down a street in Long Island City. Witnesses watched in horror as the dogs struggled to keep up with the moving vehicle, their bodies scraping against the pavement.
The incident occurred on January 4, 2026, and quickly went viral after video footage was shared online. In the footage, bystanders can be heard yelling in disbelief as the dogs gagged and stumbled behind the car. Several good Samaritans intervened, stopping the vehicle at an intersection and saving the dogs’ lives.
Witnesses Stepped In When No One Else Would
According to authorities, the driver—identified as 68-year-old Dan Bujor—told police he tied the dogs to the car because he “did not want them pooping inside the vehicle.” A friend later described the act as a “lapse in judgment,” adding that losing the dogs “would kill him.”
But the dogs’ injuries told a very different story.
Both animals were rushed to an ASPCA facility, where veterinarians treated them for torn and inflamed paw pads, skin inflammation, and a ruptured eardrum. Reports also noted signs of neglect prior to the incident, including poor body condition.
Sign the petition to ensure this man is never allowed to own animals again.
Charged—but Is That Enough?
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Bujor was arraigned on multiple charges, including two counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, failure to provide sustenance, and driving without a license. The dogs—named Nougat and Marzipan—remain under ASPCA care as officials determine legal ownership.
Animal welfare advocates stress that charges alone are not enough.
“This wasn’t an accident,” advocates say. “Dragging living animals behind a car is intentional, violent abuse.”
A Preventable Act of Cruelty
This case underscores a painful reality: animals rely entirely on humans for safety and compassion. Without the intervention of strangers, these dogs might not have survived.
Public outrage helped bring this case to light—but sustained pressure is needed to ensure real accountability.
Dogs deserve protection—not pavement.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- NYC Driver Dragged Two Dogs Behind His Car—Petition Demands Permanent Animal Ownership Ban
- Pregnant Dog Found Strangled With Wire Sparks Urgent Petition for Justice
- Three Dogs Left to Freeze in Subzero Temperatures—Petition Demands Lifetime Animal Ownership Ban
- Two Family Dogs Were Shot With Arrows on a Hunting Trip. Now, the Public Demands Justice
- Caught on CCTV: Dog Killed in Apartment Lift in Bengaluru — Outrage Grows for Goofy
