Animal rescue workers found 40 Belgian Malinois in a filthy, overcrowded NYC apartment, where they spent their entire lives crammed together in the small space, authorities said.
“They’ve likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger,” said Animal Care & Control Director of Shelter Medicine Biana Tamimi.
The rescuers from ACC and the ASPCA went to the 62nd Street home in Forest Hills, Queens, on Thursday after they were notified that the owner had been evicted and needed to surrender his dogs, a law enforcement source said.
When they arrived, they found some dogs stuffed into closets and cupboards or packed into tight spaces with no access to fresh air or sunlight, according to ACC.
“These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives,” said Tara Mercado, ACC’s director of behavior and shelter operations. “We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture.”
The agency opened a criminal investigation, and spent two days removing the dogs, the source said. The pet owner’s name wasn’t immediately released.
The dogs won’t be up for adoption until they’ve been evaluated because most are “extremely fearful, undersocialized and in need of long-term behavioral support,” according to the ACC.
“Every new sound, every human interaction is overwhelming,” Tamimi said. “But we’re already seeing glimmers of curiosity — and that gives us hope.”
The agency pointed out it does have plenty of pups to adopt right away, and is currently waiving fees for dogs over 40 pounds.
“With our dog population now at near triple capacity in Queens alone, we are also in desperate need of placement for the additional 175 dogs already in care in Queens and the 165 dogs currently waiting for homes at our Manhattan and Staten Island Care Centers,” said Jessica Vacarro, ACC’s director of placement.
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