A viral video taken in Queens showed two dogs being dragged behind a moving car, tied to the trunk while horrified bystanders begged the driver to stop. The driver, Dan Bujor, admitted to police that he tied the dogs that way because he "did not want them pooping inside the car."

Both dogs, Nougat and Marzipan, were rescued and brought to the ASPCA in Manhattan. They suffered a ruptured eardrum, injuries to their paw pads, skin inflammation, and other signs of neglect. Authorities say the dogs are now safe and recovering, but their long-term future is still uncertain.

What happened to these dogs is not just unacceptable. It is a glaring example of why New York must strengthen its animal cruelty laws.

Bujor was arrested after public outrage and social media pressure. Without video evidence and direct action by bystanders, this case might have gone unnoticed.

We are calling on the New York State Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul to:

• Increase penalties for acts of animal cruelty that result in physical injury or trauma
• Require mandatory sentencing for convicted abusers when video or eyewitness evidence confirms the abuse
• Strengthen the ability of courts to permanently remove animals from individuals who commit public, verified acts of cruelty
• Fund training for police and prosecutors to ensure animal abuse cases are taken seriously and pursued with urgency

New York must treat animal cruelty as a serious offense. The public has spoken loudly in this case, and lawmakers need to listen.

Sign this petition to demand stronger animal cruelty laws in New York and justice for all animals like Nougat and Marzipan.