New Canaan Police are investigating what they say could amount to a dog neglect case on Oenoke Lane, after the head of the department’s Animal Control section found that adequate outdoor shelter has not been provided for two canines left outside repeatedly in inclement weather.
Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm, in a report obtained by NewCanaanite.com through a Freedom of Information Act request, details that she first saw a German shepherd and shepherd mixed-breed dog outside the house and “soaking wet” on the morning of Dec. 2, and that over the following three weeks, two people separately contacted the department to report a similar problem.
Halm immediately contacted the woman listed as the dogs’ owner on Dec. 2 and received a voicemail back in which the woman “related that her dogs were fine, loved and well cared for, and did not want to receive a message like the one I left again,” according to the report. The Animal Control section head followed up to let the owner know that she had made what was intended as courtesy call only, in case a pet-sitter or housekeeper had left the dogs out, the report said. The woman responded “that the dogs had access to shelter in the backyard, but they like the rain,” the report said.
The investigation went no further until Dec. 22, when an individual contacted police saying that she’d seen the same dogs outside during a rain storm five days earlier “without access to shelter,” according to the report.
That very day, Dec. 22, a second call came in from a different individual stating he or she “noticed two dogs outside in the pouring rain,” the report said.
When Halm followed up and said she’d like to visit the property to see the shelter for herself, the owner “indicated I could not come on the property until she spoke to her lawyers,” the report said.
A few hours later, the owner left a voicemail saying her lawyer had advised to allow Animal Control on the property, according to the report. The next morning, Halm and Police Officer Stephen Tam visited the property and, around back where the shelter supposedly was located, “observed a 3-4 foot overhang attached to the back of the house,” the report said.
“Underneath the overhang were two lounge chairs in the corner pushed together and one chair had a dog bed on it, which appeared to have signs of use by a dog,” Halm said in the report. They also saw an empty metal dog bowl, it said.
While the police were there, the owner came outside and Halm advised that the shelter was insufficient “because the area was not fully protected from the weather.”
In Connecticut, animal neglect/cruelty laws are spelled out in section 53-247 of the General Statutes. The law includes instances where a domestic pet owner fails to provide proper care for an animal, including food, drink or shelter. A first offense is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Each subsequent offence is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The Humane Society of the United States urges those who observe a pet left out in inclement weather to notify local authorities.
In talking to the owner in this case, Halm advised that “two dog houses would solve the issue, even if the dogs chose not to use them.”
The owner “claimed she did not have the money and would not get dog houses,” according to the police report.
Halm said the dogs alternatively could be brought inside during inclement weather and the owner “indicated that this was a barking issue and the people complaining were lying.”
The following day, Dec. 23, the homeowner contacted Halm asking whether “placing two crates outside with covers was sufficient,” according to the report.
The investigation is ongoing, the report said.
Let’s just get the dogs inside
or to someone who will take them in
Clearly, the owner of these dogs is not willing or even capable of taking proper care of them. If she has no money to buy dog houses, she has no money for even normal medical care . And what about healthy food? Please….find a way to get the dogs to safety and to a loving home!
If she cannot afford to properly care for the dogs by providing adequate warmth and shelter, she should not have dogs. Dogs are a financial commitment as well as an emotional commitment. The weather has turned much colder in the last few days. Wet dogs with no shelter are not good. Frozen dogs are inexcusable. They will die in these frigid temperatures.
she lives in new cannan not cheap to live there sh has to have money and cant buy 2 doghouses wtf
Think about the financial viability of the State of CT. This person could be a divorced single mother, her husband or she could be unemployed for a prolonged period of time — especially if you are over 50. Their home could be in forclosure. Living in New Canaan does not mean you are rich. I have been rescuing dogs for the past 11 years. You don’t know what is going on in anyones life. We are great at hiding our pain/issues. Or she could be totally clueless and just consider dogs property. You don’t know what you don’t know.
Even homeless people who have pets take better care of them. You are very understanding and that is great. Perhaps you can think of a way to help this woman with her two dogs? This is inexcusable. I hope we hear more in the continuing investigation.
Have you seen the happy healthy dogs? I have, their home is beautiful, the dogs are well loved. This winter was very warm. The dogs loved being outside and now that it’s been cold, they are mostly inside. I spoke to the woman, she said the officer was very happy with the way the dogs were fairing and was surprised anyone would lodge a complaint, but had to investigate
I’m familiar with this family and with these dogs in particular. They are perfectly fine, healthy, loving, very-well-cared-for, happy dogs who definitely prefer to roam freely on their property vs. being indoors – not unlike dogs in a more rural environment. Wet dogs = animal neglect?Since when? What if the dogs had free access to the garage? That would satisfy the requirement. Problem solved. Nosy neighbors will soon have nothing to watch so back to their desperately boring suburban life they must go.
I am familiar with these dogs and ensure all they are friendly, healthy, happy and loved. They sleep each night within the house as well as in poor weather conditions. They seem to have plenty of shelter throughout the property. I did notice when passing yesterday them like many of the kids in New Canaan they were out enjoying playing in the snow. I think an apology to owner maybe due from whoever made the compliant. Unfortunately these sorts of uninformed complaints waste the time of our police and can lead to giving our beautiful town a bad name as indicated by Emma R above.
My dogs love being outside in all conditions. In fact my Aussie refused to come inside after repeated attempts during last Saturday’s blizzard! (He finally did come in). When I leave the house while they’re outside, I always leave the garage door open about two feet with plenty of water and their “outside” dog beds. Not only is it dry, but it’s warmer in the winter while being cooler in the summer.
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