Middletown Police Arrest Two for Animal Cruelty

Middletown police arrested two people on outstanding animal cruelty charges Monday after a motor vehicle stop.

The arrest stems back to April 15 when Middletown Animal Control Officer Gail Petras received a complaint that Lori, 44, and Christopher James, 45, had neglected their three dogs, according to a police press release.

Petras received pictures of an emaciated white pit bull that showed each of the dog’s vertebrae and ribs.

The following day Petras received a call about a roaming white pit bull in the areas of James’ house, according to the release. It was determined the dog belonged to the family and they had let the dog go earlier in the day. “Ghost,” the white pitbull originally was named “Capone” and belonged to someone else who was hospitalized due to unforeseen circumstances.

Capone is now back with his original owner.

The other two dogs taken by animal control include “Coco” a teacup pitbull, “Jade” a shephard/pitbull mix. Both have been placed in new homes. They regained their health and weight after being properly fed.

Christopher James was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals, three counts of failure to have current rabies vaccination for a pet and three counts of failure to licence a dog.

Lori James was charged with three counts for each of the above counts. Both were released on a promise to appear and are due in court Oct. 1

The Middletown Police Department Animal Control Office can be contacted at 860-638-4030.