“They’ve likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger.”
When rescuers walked into a New York City apartment this May, they expected a troubling situation — but nothing could have prepared them for what they found. It would soon be described as “one of the most disturbing” cases ever encountered.
Inside a cramped, filthy Queens apartment, forty Belgian Malinois were discovered living in shocking conditions. According to the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), the dogs were malnourished and had likely never been outside. For a breed that thrives on at least an hour of vigorous exercise each day, the discovery was heartbreaking.
Both adult dogs and puppies were found not only in hallways but also stuffed into cupboards and closets.
“These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives,” said Tara Mercado of ACC. “We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture.”
Working alongside the ASPCA, ACC rescuers removed all 40 dogs from the property, bringing them in for medical evaluation and urgent care.
This wasn’t the first red flag from that apartment. Back in 2023, the same individual reached out to Lend-a-Paw Inc., a Queens-based rescue, asking them to take in six dogs. “Upon receiving these dogs, they were emaciated, malnourished, and undersocialized,” the group shared on Facebook.
Fast-forward to late 2024, and the person again contacted Lend-a-Paw — this time claiming to have 25 dogs. Alarmed, the rescue contacted the ACC, the ASPCA, and the animal cruelty units of Manhattan and Queens. “We couldn’t assist with all of these dogs, and additionally, this owner needed to be arrested,” the rescue wrote.
After rescuing 40 pups this May, the situation was described as unimaginable. “We can’t even begin to imagine what kind of condition these dogs were in or what they have been through,” they added.
Now safe at the ACC and ASPCA, the dogs — some believed to be German shepherd mixes — began receiving proper care. While some responded positively, others were frightened and withdrawn.
“They’ve likely never touched grass, walked on a leash, or met a stranger,” said Dr. Biana Tamimi, ACC’s director of shelter medicine. “Every new sound, every human interaction is overwhelming.”
The ACC added, “Even walking was hard for them, as they had likely never had so much room to move.”
One heartbreaking case was Sammie, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois-German shepherd mix. Sammie was so shut down he had to be transported on a cart. Taken in by Zion’s Mission Animal Rescue, he was described as “timid, shy, and shutdown.”
Sloane Quealy, cofounder of Zion’s Mission, shared insight: “All these dogs were in this apartment, all together, mostly their entire life, right? Then all of a sudden, they’re separated.” Sammie, it seemed, was struggling from being apart from the only family he had ever known.
But then, something incredible happened.
“We reunited Sammie last night with three of the pups,” said Quealy. “And as soon as he saw the pups, he stood up and he’s been mobile ever since.”
He even took a walk around the room to greet them. “He went back near us and sat down and let out the biggest sigh I’ve ever heard,” Quealy recalled. “And I almost burst into tears because … a lot of them do that when they realize they’re safe.”
Zion’s Mission took in five adults and five puppies, working to give them the stability they never had. But they weren’t alone. The massive rescue effort also involved:
Almost Home Rescue & Adoptions, Char-Wills German Shepherd Rescue, Every Last One, Greenfield Pets Animal Rescue, Korean K9 Rescue, Malinois & Dutch Shepherd Rescue, Posh Pets, and Stacy Hope Rescue.
Posh Pets shared a glimmer of hope: One of the adult dogs, now named Gracie (formerly Guy Smiley), has already begun to blossom. “Though she arrived shut down and terrified, she comes alive when she’s around the puppies — her gentle, nurturing side shining through. That spark gives us such hope for her future.”
This rescue came at a critical moment. New York shelters are over capacity, and both dog fosters and adopters are urgently needed. To help, the ACC has waived adoption fees for dogs over 40 pounds.
If you’re looking to adopt or want to support these efforts, check out the ACC’s wishlist or reach out to the individual rescues involved.
As for Sammie and his friends at Zion’s Mission, they’re currently undergoing professional training and socialization. They’ll be ready for adoption soon — but only into homes with a canine buddy.
“They want to be with another animal,” Quealy emphasized.
While it may take time, these dogs are finally on the path to the life they deserve. As Dr. Tamimi of ACC said, “We’re already seeing glimmers of curiosity, and that gives us hope.”
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