When rescuers stepped into a New York City apartment in May, they expected a difficult scene—but nothing could have prepared them for what they found. Crammed inside the small, filthy Queens apartment were 40 Belgian Malinois dogs, living in one of the most disturbing conditions authorities had ever encountered.
“These dogs have reportedly lived in total confinement for their entire lives,” said Tara Mercado of Animal Care Centers of New York (ACC). “We found full-grown Malinois hidden in cabinets and crammed behind furniture.”
The dogs, including both adults and puppies, were severely malnourished. Many had never seen the outside world, let alone touched grass or walked on a leash. Belgian Malinois are high-energy working dogs who need hours of daily exercise. Instead, they had spent their lives trapped in cupboards, closets, and behind furniture.
Working with the ASPCA, ACC teams removed all 40 dogs from the apartment and brought them in for urgent medical care. Sadly, this wasn’t the first sign of trouble. Two years earlier, the individual hoarding the dogs contacted a local rescue, Lend-a-Paw, who stepped in to save six dogs. Late last year, he reached out again—this time claiming to have 25 dogs. Alarmed, Lend-a-Paw escalated the situation, reaching out to the ACC, the ASPCA, and local cruelty task forces.
“We couldn’t assist with all of these dogs, and additionally, this owner needed to be arrested,” the rescue wrote.
Now, safe in the care of multiple rescue organizations, the 40 dogs—some believed to be German shepherd mixes—are beginning a slow but hopeful road to recovery.
“These dogs have never touched grass, never heard most normal sounds, never had space to move,” said Dr. Biana Tamimi, ACC’s director of shelter medicine. “Every new sound, every human interaction is overwhelming.”
One of the most heartbreaking cases was Sammie, a 2-year-old Malinois-German shepherd mix. Shut down and terrified, Sammie had to be wheeled out on a cart. He wouldn’t walk, wouldn’t move—until something incredible happened.
Zion’s Mission Animal Rescue took in five adult dogs and five puppies. When Sammie was reunited with three of the pups he had grown up with, something shifted.
“As soon as he saw the pups, he stood up, and he’s been mobile ever since,” said Zion’s cofounder, Sloane Quealy. “He walked around the room, then sat beside us and let out the biggest sigh I’ve ever heard. I almost burst into tears. That sigh—so many dogs do that when they finally realize they’re safe.”
Dozens of organizations stepped in to support this massive rescue, including 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, Stacy Hope Rescue, and more.
Among the rescued dogs is Gracie (formerly “Guy Smiley”), a once-terrified adult who now glows with maternal energy when she’s near the puppies. Her spark is just one example of the hope growing within these animals.
The rescue comes at a time when NYC’s shelter system is overwhelmed. ACC has waived adoption fees for dogs over 40 pounds in hopes of finding more loving homes. Meanwhile, Zion’s Mission says the Malinois pups in their care are working with professional trainers and will be adoption-ready in the coming weeks—but only to homes with a canine companion.
“These dogs want to be with another animal,” Quealy said.
The path ahead will be long, but for these 40 dogs, the worst is finally behind them. As Dr. Tamimi put it:
“We’re already seeing glimmers of curiosity, and that gives us hope.”