Abused Dog Had No Access To Food, Water Or Shelter: East Haven PD

EAST HAVEN, CT — An East Haven woman is accused of severely neglecting her dog and the animal didn't have access to food, water or shelter, police say. The dog was found tied to a pool deck in the middle of February and was so cold it dug itself a hole for shelter, police said.

This story does end with a happy "tail" as 'Sampson' was removed from the woman's home and placed with another family. Samson is doing very well, police said, and is healthy once again.

East Haven Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn led the animal cruelty investigation. Shore Haven Veterinarian Hospital told Godejohn that on Feb. 21 Samson’s owner, Celena Campbell, 40, called the animal hospital because he was not eating and had not defecated for several days, police said.

Animal hospital employees told Campbell to bring Samson in for a medical evaluation but she never showed up, Police Lt. Joseph M. Murgo said. That led employees to contact East Haven Animal Control.

On Feb. 22 Godejohn responded to Campbell’s home to perform a welfare check on the animal. Godejohn and two East Haven officers located the severely malnourished Rhodesian Ridgeback tied to a pool deck, Murgo said.

"Godejohn’s arrest warrant affidavit stated that it appeared that the dog dug itself a hole to keep itself warm. The arrest warrant also states that the dog did not have access to food, water or shelter. The dog was extremely thin, with spinal bones and ribs protruding from its body. The dog was also reported to have wounds, scrapes, scars and patches of hair missing from his body," police said.

Godejohn took Sampson because he believed the dog was in “imminent harm and in need of immediate veterinary intervention,” police said.

Once Samson was evaluated by medical professionals he was found to be in severe need of medical attention and needed to be hospitalized, police said. Veterinarians documented several significant neglect related injuries including severe malnourishment, muscle atrophy, and open sores down to the muscle ligament, Murgo said.

Campbell was charged with animal cruelty and released on a $2,500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 23 at G.A. 23, 121 Elm Street, New Haven.

Godejohn filed the proper paperwork to take over ownership of Samson who has since been placed in another home. "Samson is reported to be healthy and in good spirits with his new owners," police said.

Sampson after spending time in his new home, police said.

Campbell/courtesy of police

Photos via East Haven Police