Key Points – 48 Dogs Held In Hell Hole

• Isaac Yadgarov allegedly kept 48 dogs in a filthy Queens apartment
• Dogs were found stuffed in closets and covered in feces and urine
• Three animals had to be euthanized due to extreme neglect
• Prosecutors charged him with 96 counts of animal cruelty
• He faces up to a year in jail if convicted

Packed Like Prisoners In A Stinking Cell

A Queens man is under fire for turning his one-bedroom apartment into a dog-filled dungeon. Isaac Yadgarov, 37, allegedly crammed 48 Belgian Malinois dogs into the foul-smelling seventh-floor unit on 62nd Road in Forest Hills. Prosecutors are calling it one of the most horrifying hoarding cases the city has ever seen.

Neighbors had long suspected something was wrong. The smell was unbearable, and the barking never stopped. But no one imagined the scale of suffering hidden behind the door.

Filthy Conditions And Gagging Smells

On May 8, animal control officers arrived at Yadgarov’s apartment after reports of neglect. What they found was shocking: the floor caked in urine and feces, dogs packed into closets and cabinets, and the air choked with ammonia. It was impossible to move, breathe, or see daylight inside the apartment.

Members of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit, ASPCA, and Animal Care Centers of NYC struggled to navigate the chaos as they worked to rescue the animals.

Some Dogs Couldn’t Be Saved

Three of the dogs were so neglected, they had to be euthanized on the spot. The remaining 45 were taken to shelters where they received urgent medical care. Several were later transferred to Posh Pets Rescue on Long Island to begin rehabilitation.

“These dogs are finally receiving the love and care they deserve,” said ASPCA President Matt Bershadker.

Neighbors Knew Something Stank

Longtime residents said the building always smelled, but no one knew why. One neighbor told reporters, “We thought he had maybe two or three dogs. We had no idea there were that many.” Another neighbor, Sharon, said she constantly heard barking and claimed Yadgarov even threw feces off his balcony.

“If he ever brought them out, the elevator would reek. The stairs were full of urine,” she added.

Prosecutors Say This Was No Accident

Yadgarov now faces a 96-count indictment, including 48 counts of torturing or neglecting animals and another 48 for failing to provide basic necessities like food and shelter.

Prosecutors say Yadgarov wasn’t even present during the rescue. He had been evicted days earlier and signed forms the day before the raid, agreeing to surrender the dogs.

A Legal Slap On The Wrist?

Despite the gravity of the case, Judge Edward Daniels released Yadgarov on his own recognizance. The charges are not bail-eligible under current law. His next court appearance is set for August 5. If convicted, he could face up to one year in jail.

“We must do better for the animals of this borough,” said Queens DA Melinda Katz.

Aftermath Of A Nightmare

The dogs are now in safe hands, but many questions remain. Why wasn’t this discovered sooner? Could lives have been saved with earlier intervention?

Animal activists are calling for tougher laws and stronger penalties. Meanwhile, the dogs, once trapped in a living hell, are finally seeing the light of day.