WTNH Hartford | December 10, 2024 |Brittany Schaefer |
CHESHIRE, Conn. (WTNH) — Animal advocates hosted a rally on Tuesday night in Cheshire after neglect allegations of over 20 dogs housed at Cheshire Animal Control.
“You can’t seize animals from neglect and then neglect them yourself,” Rally Organizer Jeen Melendez said.
“Should never happen in animal control, anywhere,” Desmond’s Army Vice President and Treasurer Linda Pleva said.
Then, the rally led to standing room only at the town council meeting.
“No one cleaned kennels, animals were left with no water bowls forcing them to become dehydrated, no blankets to lie on leaving them to lie on cold and dirty concrete floors,” Ava Reyes, who said she treated Lilly at Central Connecticut Animal Hospital, said.
Neglect allegations at Cheshire Animal Control came after 30 dogs were seized from a home two years ago.
Police said the town was finally permitted to begin adoptions two weeks ago after what they call the “complicated legal case” was settled. Police said as of Friday, all 23 dogs were adopted into their forever homes with loving families and seven were returned to the defendant per the settlement.
But animal advocates said the animals were living in poor conditions over the last two years at the animal control facility with overcrowding and improper sanitation.
Reyes said she treated one of those dogs at Central Connecticut Animal Hospital. She wanted to adopt her.
She said Lilly had full mobility when she left their care and months later was sent to the ICU.
“They said she had back leg paralysis when she was in ACO but that is false,” Reyes said. “Her being put down doesn’t add up.”
“Several of the animals died, many of the animals we neglected and not groomed, so we want answers,” Melendez said.
The State’s Department of Agriculture confirms they are investigating current operations at Cheshire Animal Control.
Tuesday night, residents demanded answers at the council meeting but the town attorney said they cannot due to open state and federal bankruptcy litigation.
“I hear people laughing and I see people rolling their eyes but the reality is the town had to make a decision and the town made the right decision because there’s no question the outcome that was achieved is vastly superior to the outcome that would have occurred if the town didn’t step in,” Attorney Jeffrey Donofrio said.
Residents who spoke out at the meeting are calling for a special town council meeting to address this issue and an independent investigation into Cheshire Animal Control.
The council said they are unable to respond to those requests at this time.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comentarios