Monkey Thin, Dog Hurt At Enfield Home: Chief

ENFIELD, CT — A capuchin monkey found during a police search of an Enfield home Tuesday was "very thin," while a dog that appeared to have broken legs was taken for veterinary care, Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox said.

Fox provided the additional details in an online interview with Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates, following the discovery of 34 dogs, 17 exotic birds and the monkey at 293 Abbe Road.

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Enfield officers were assisting Wethersfield police with a search warrant Wethersfield police had obtained for evidence tied to a robbery in that town about a year ago, Fox said. The Wethersfield Police Department said Wednesday that robbery investigation remains active and declined to release further information.

Fox said officers knew there might be dogs in the home but did not expect to find 52 animals. Concerns about sanitation prompted the involvement of the North Central District Health Department, while concerns about children in the home brought in the Department of Children and Families, he said.

The birds were in cages, the dogs were in varying locations throughout the home and the monkey was largely caged, Fox said. He said the other animals were largely cared for, but could not say whether all had been removed from the home.

Fox said he was comfortable saying the animals were safe. The monkey was turned over to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for rehoming, while the dog with apparent leg injuries was brought for veterinary care. Officials are still working with animal-control officers and specialists on the remaining animals, including the birds.

Authorities were told the monkey came from Texas, where it was legal to acquire, Fox said. He said there was no indication the animals were being used for fighting, breeding or illegal sales, and no prior complaints about animal problems at the home had surfaced.

Fox said the current animal-cruelty allegations involve the monkey and the injured dog. Police also seized three firearms, narcotics and other evidence that may be connected to the Wethersfield robbery investigation.

Francisco Perez-Figueroa, 45, and Erica Valentin, 40, were arrested. Both face charges of risk of injury to a minor, cruelty to animals and illegal possession of a monkey, police said.

Perez-Figueroa also faces three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, operation of a drug factory and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. His bond was set at $250,000 surety. Valentin's bond was set at $25,000 non-surety.

The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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