Today, I want to share a story that begins on a rather grim note but eventually takes a positive turn. It’s a tale about the beloved companions of many: dogs.

Previously, I have discussed an exceptional breed, the Belgian Malinois, renowned for being one of the top choices for military service dogs, both in the U.S. Army and the IDF. Sadly, this story involves a troubling situation in Queens, New York, where a seemingly unstable individual had confined 48 of these intelligent dogs inside a filthy, overcrowded apartment. They were left malnourished, frightened, and utterly ignored:

Animal welfare officials, together with the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit, intervened at Isaac Yadgarov’s seventh-floor apartment in Forest Hills on May 8, only to uncover a distressing condition. They discovered numerous dogs, from as young as 3 weeks to up to 3 years old, crammed within a small, stench-filled space, tainted with urine and feces, according to prosecutors.

Some were stuffed into closets and cupboards with no access to fresh air or sunlight.

Three were in such poor condition they had to be euthanized.

That was the bad part. Here comes the good:

After weeks of socialization, medical care and puppy-safe training, however, Rivington and the other pups have grown, healed and learned to trust, Maso said.

Five are now “thriving” and officially up for adoption at the ASPCA’s Manhattan facility, while the other nine have already been adopted.

Malinois puppies rescued from Queens hoarder now ready for adoption pic.twitter.com/eGrsqAP3gg

— New York Post (@nypost) June 28, 2025