Animal cruelty investigation underway after 40 dogs found in cramped Forest Hills apartment

A pair of animal welfare non-profits rescued more than 40 dogs and puppies from a filthy and overcrowded Queens apartment last week, with several dogs found crammed behind furniture and hidden in cabinets.

Representatives from Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) retrieved over 40 Belgian Malinois from inside a Forest Hills apartment at 102-45 62 Rd. on Thursday, May 8.

An NYPD spokesperson said officers also attended the scene, adding that NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad is currently carrying out an investigation into the incident. No arrests have been made at this time.

Meanwhile, an ACC spokesperson said the dogs, ranging from young puppies to fully-grown adults, had allegedly never been allowed outside the apartment their entire lives. Some animals were discovered in closets and cupboards or packed into tight spaces with no access to fresh air or sunlight, the ACC spokesperson said.

ACC’s medical and behavior teams are currently evaluating each dog. The non-profit said most of the animals are extremely fearful, under-socialized and in need of long-term behavioral support.

ACC is carrying out initial health assessments to determine placement options, but none of the dogs are currently available for direct adoption.

The New York Post reported Friday that three dogs have been euthanized due to their condition. ACC could not provide any further information, stating that the incident is under active investigation.

Initial health assessments are underway to determine placement options for animals rescued on Thursday, but none of the dogs are available for direct adoption yet.

Tara Mercado, ACC’s Director of Behavior & Shelter Operations, said the dogs had spent their lives living in squalid and overcrowded conditions.

“These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives,” Mercado said in a statement. “We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture.”

Dogs found hidden in cabinets, behind furniture. Photo Courtesy of ACC.

Dr. Biana Tamimi, ACC’s Director of Shelter Medicine, said the animal’s recovered last Thursday have been “overwhelmed” by every human interaction they have experienced since the rescue but said she has seen small improvements in their behavior already.

“They’ve likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger,” Tamimi said in a statement. “Every new sound, every human interaction, is overwhelming. But we’re already seeing glimmers of curiosity— and that gives us hope.”

A Malinois in the care of ACC. Photo courtesy of ACC.

Belgian Malinois is a working breed known for its intelligence, energy and need for stimulation. The dog is often chosen as a police sniffer dog and often serves alongside Navy SEALs due to its obedience, agility and intelligence.

Jessica Vacarro, ACC’s Director of Placement, said several breed-specific dog rescues have already come forward to help find homes for the rescued dogs.

She said ACC is already well over capacity and said the organization is in “desperate need” of finding placement for the hundreds of dogs already in its care.

“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,” Vacarro said.

ACC said members of the public can help the organization by adopting or fostering dogs already in its care or by donating to support medical exams, vaccinations, behavioral enrichment and care supplies.

The non-profit also encouraged people to share updates on social media to help these dogs “find the second chance they deserve.”

ACC additionally noted that it is currently holding a large breed dog adoption special at all locations, waiving fees for any dog over 40-lbs.