Animal Cruelty Case Investigated By Greenwich Police

GREENWICH, CT — A 23-year-old Greenwich man has been arrested on a charge of cruelty to animals after authorities discovered that the dog he had adopted "displayed signs and symptoms consistent with having been abused," according to Greenwich police.

Christian Dilworth, of Brookside Drive, adopted the mastiff from a Connecticut facility in May of this year, and in June the dog was found wandering in Bruce Park, which prompted the investigation by the Greenwich Police Animal Control Division.

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"When Dilworth was contacted about his dog he told investigators that it had died," wrote Greenwich police in a statement. "He then provided misleading and contradictory information concerning the circumstances of the dog's alleged death."

The department obtained a warrant for Dilworth's arrest, and he surrendered to to Greenwich police on Aug. 16. In addition to cruelty to animals, he also was charged with:

• Failure to comply with dog ownership requirements
• Illegal release of a domestic animal
• False statement
• Interfering with an officer

He was held in lieu of bail of $25,000 and was scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 17.

Photo: Christian Dilworth. Photo credit: Greenwich Police Department