Arrest Made In Animal Cruelty Investigation: Naugatuck Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Waterbury man has been charged in an animal cruelty investigation launched earlier this year after a husky was found wandering alone in Naugatuck with a chain embedded in his neck, according to police.

In May, police said a male Siberian husky was found roaming alone in the area of Platts Mill Road, near the Waterbury town line, with a chain embedded in his neck. The husky also had difficulty walking and appeared to be underweight, according to police.

The dog was brought to Naugatuck Animal Control, who named him "Justice," and later taken into surgery to remove the 28-inch embedded chain from his neck. At the time, he was diagnosed with an abscess wound as a result of the chain embedded into his skin, as well as a fever and poor body condition.

During a news conference Wednesday morning, which was livestreamed through Facebook, Police Sgt. Danielle Durette said Emanuel Pizarro-Boria, 38, of Waterbury, was arrested on a warrant Tuesday evening as a result of the investigation.

According to Durette, police received a tip from an anonymous caller as a result of an earlier press conference who said the dog belonged to a Waterbury resident.

"The tipster gave them more information about the conditions in which the dog was living," Durette said during Wednesday's press conference. "The dog was living in a shed outside, was tethered via the chain and had been heard previously yelping and scratching at the walls of the shed that it lived in."

Officers worked with Waterbury police to gather more information and further connected the dog to a property on South Street in Waterbury, Durette said.

"They made contact with the suspect, and he admitted that he used the chain as a collar to tether the dog in the yard," Durette said.

Pizarro-Boria was charged with cruelty to animals, no rabies vaccination and roaming dog. His bond was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court this week, according to Durette.

Per the condition of the court, he is no longer allowed to be in possession of any animals, Durette said.

See also: Dog Undergoes Surgery, Animal Cruelty Probe Launched: Naugatuck PD

Mayor Pete Hess said he was extremely proud of the team at the Naugatuck Police Department who worked with Waterbury police to get "justice for Justice."

"[They] really put in a great effort with a lot of thought," Hess said, "and showing how we really care about cases like this in Naugatuck. We have a great team, the town supports them fully, we help them any way we can. We're already excellent, we strive to be elite, and this is what we're all about. 'Justice for Justice' says it all."

Durette also provided an update on Justice, who she said is now doing very well.

"He's got that husky energy," Durette said. "He's very excited all the time [and] he's got good manners."

Though Justice is currently not available for adoption due to the legal processes still underway, Durette said they are hoping to get him into a home.

"He deserves to have people that love him," Durette said, "and live in some cushier conditions than the pound."

Anyone interested in fostering Justice is asked to email Naugatuck Animal Control or visit the department in person, after which officers will determine if a person is the right fit for him.

"They are going to be specific on who they pair this dog with," Durette said. "He's obviously already been through enough as it is. They want to find the right fit to foster him. They prefer that it be someone with husky experience because, as we know, they're a pretty active breed."

Back in May, animal law advocate group Desmond's Army said they were offering a $1,500 reward for any information leading to the identification of the people involved in this incident. According to Zilla Cannamela, the group's president, their mission is to help bring perpetrators in animal cruelty cases to justice.

The news conference can be viewed in full on the department's Facebook page.