Hartford, CT - On Tuesday, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Oxford Animal Control, assisted by the Oxford Resident Trooper's Office, executed a search and seizure warrant for companion animals and livestock owned by Karen Desrosiers and kept at 48 Condon Road in Oxford. Staff from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and animal control officers from surrounding towns also assisted.
What started as an investigation into a complaint concerning roaming animal received February 20, 2013, by Oxford Animal Control became an investigation into neglected and malnourished horses, livestock, companion animals, and poultry. Taken were four dogs, one cat, eighteen chickens, six turkeys, six guinea fowl, one goat, one pig, one donkey, one horse, and two miniature horses.
The warrant alleges that the animals lacked basic and necessary veterinary care, proper feed, and water. Conditions observed that led to the action include horses and a donkey with badly overgrown hooves, skin conditions, and no water available. No hay and very little animal feed were seen on the property. One horse appeared to have wounds and injuries of unknown origin.
The four dogs and one cat taken in the seizure will be kept at local municipal animal shelters. The horses, livestock, and poultry are being transported to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's large animal rescue facility at Gates Correctional Institution in Niantic. All of the animals will be evaluated by a veterinarian.
At this time none of the animals are available for adoption as this is an ongoing investigation into possible criminal animal neglect.
"Neglect and abuse of animals are actions we do not tolerate at the Department of Agriculture," commented Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky. "It is essential that these animals receive adequate food, water, and care while we investigate the circumstances that led to these conditions, and take the necessary steps to ensure they do not occur again."
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has a fund to help defray the cost of caring for animals taken during animal cruelty search and seizures. Donations can be made by check (payable to the "Animal Abuse Cost Recovery Account") to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106. In addition to donations, the fund also takes in court-awarded monies and dedicates these monies to the feeding and care of seized animals.
