June 6, 2025

We filed criminal charges against a defendant accused of animal neglect and abuse for allegedly hoarding 48 Belgian Malinois in a cramped and filthy apartment filled with the animals’ excrement.

The dogs were rescued on May 8 by members of the ASPCA, Animal Care Centers of NYC and NYPD following the defendant's eviction from the apartment.

At least three of the dogs were too sick to be saved and were humanely euthanized due to neglect.

We must do better for the animals of this borough. I have long advocated for strengthening New York’s cruelty laws and we will use all tools available to prosecute those who neglect and abuse our animals.

I thank our partners at the ASPCA, Animal Care Centers of NYC and the NYPD for assisting in this investigation and helping to relocate the dogs to appropriate facilities.

My top priority will always be keeping you and your loved ones safe.

In Friendship,

Melinda Katz

Queens District Attorney

Cases of Interest

• A driver pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and assault for causing a high-speed, three-car collision in November 2023 on the Long Island Expressway. The subsequent crash left one of his passengers dead and three others, including the defendant’s sister, seriously injured.
• Two brothers were sentenced to prison for possessing explosive devices, assault weapons, 3-D printed ghost guns and a "hit list" in their Astoria apartment in January 2024.
• A motorist was indicted on charges of murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident and related crimes for allegedly driving over a pedestrian who had been hit by another vehicle moments earlier and dragging the body. The defendant allegedly came to a complete stop and was fully aware that the victim was pinned underneath his vehicle.
• A Queens man was sentenced to 34 years in prison on multiple counts of rape of two young girls, ages 12 and 16. The defendant took both girls to a Queens motel and raped them in 2022 in separate incidents.

Scooter Seizures

My office continues to seize illegally parked and unregistered motorized scooters in the borough, in partnership with the NYPD and State Police.

In the last few months, we have confiscated a total of 110 scooters throughout Queens as part of our ongoing joint operations.

Our overall tally is now at 1,239 scooters seized since the start of the initiative last year.

Information Wanted

If you have information regarding the death of Bridget Manderson, killed by a cinder block thrown from a roof in Whitestone 46 years ago, please contact NYPD Crimestoppers by calling 800-577-TIPS, or through the online form.

It is never too late for justice.

Frauds Awareness Workshop

It was a pleasure hosting a frauds awareness workshop at the Peter Cardella Senior Center in Ridgewood.

By providing clear, accessible education on common fraud tactics — such as phishing, fake charities and tech support scams — we empower seniors to recognize red flags, make informed decisions and report suspicious activity.

Pride Parade

My office staff and I had a wonderful time celebrating inclusion, equality and justice at the annual Pride Parade in Jackson Heights this past weekend.

We remain steadfast in our mission to combat intolerance and hate of all forms.

Gun Buyback Program

Gun buybacks are an incredibly effective way to get firearms off our streets.

Our next gun buyback event will take place on June 14 at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral - Shekinah Chapel.

Surrender an operable firearm, receive a bank card with cash. No questions asked.