Is There Evidence To Convict In Fairfield Dog Killing Case? Closing Statements Given

FAIRFIELD, CT — Whether Heidi Lueders is responsible for the death of five dogs found in cages in her Fairfield home came down to a question of evidence when attorneys made their closing arguments Tuesday in Lueders’ trial.

“There’s no way of knowing how these animals died,” said Robert Serafinowicz, who is representing Lueders. “Under our law, ‘probably guilty’ does not satisfy the state’s burden.”

Lueders is charged with five felony counts of maliciously killing an animal and one count of first-degree criminal property damage after carcasses and filth were found in November 2018 at her rental home on Prince Street.

Prosecutor Felicia Valentino described the “smell of rotting flesh, piles of garbage and dog feces,” arguing Lueders starved and dehydrated the animals, and the damage to the residence was so severe it had to be cleaned by a HAZMAT team and the floors needed to be removed.

She also noted Lueders was a dog owner, trainer and the former president of Bully Breed Rescue Inc., and as such, she should have known better. Eight dogs had lived with Lueders leading up to the discovery of the bodies, according to Valentino, who added Lueders had brought the other three to an animal hospital, and they were rehomed.

“Heidi Lueders intentionally killed all five of these dogs,” Valentino said. “She knew what she did was wrong.”

Valentino did, however, acknowledge that veterinary pathologist Dr. Herbert Van Kruiningen was unable to determine the cause of death based on the animals’ remains, which did not have enough skin tissue to test.

Serafinowicz referenced Van Kruiningen’s inconclusive findings in his closing statement.

“The evidence simply wasn’t there,” he said. “He could not give the court a cause of death for these animals.”

He also noted that Lueders, who was addicted to heroin and went to rehab around the time the bodies were discovered, kept dog food in the home and suggested perhaps the animals had died of old age.

Judge Peter McShane — who is presiding over the trial, which has no jury — will deliberate and is expected to rule on the case Wednesday.