Animal rescue workers found nearly 50 Belgian Malinois in a filthy, overcrowded Queens apartment, where they spent their entire lives crammed together without going outside, authorities said.
“They’ve likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger,” said Animal Care Centers of NYC 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 48 dogs and puppies — some stuffed into closets and cupboards or packed into tight spaces with no access to fresh air or sunlight, according to ACC. Three of the animals had to be euthanized, officials said.
“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 owner hasn’t been publicly named.
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.”
.
Workers spent two days removing the dogs from the home, authorities said.
“Right now they’re decompressing,” ACC spokeswoman Katy Hanson told The Post. “They’re being walked for the first time. Cared for (for) the first time. They’ve actually slept a lot because you can imagine how noisy it was in that apartment with 40 other dogs.”
The ACC 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.
