Emaciated Dogs, Banned Crocodile Monitor Found In Apartment: PD

NEW BRITAIN, CT — A Newington woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges after a crocodile monitor lizard worth $15,000 and two emaciated dogs were found in a New Britain apartment, according to police.

Police were called to a Chestnut Street apartment on reports of a foul odor and flies in June 2018. They entered through a window after concern that someone dead might be inside.

Inside officers located the lizard, which is prohibited from private ownership by the state. They also found two emaciated and filthy dogs and noted there was only water and no food for them, police said. The apartment was also hot with no fans or air conditioning.

No one was found to be living in the apartment.

The New Britain Health Department condemned the apartment due to the filthy conditions.

Eileen Rodriguez, 26, was identified as the renter of the apartment. She was charged March 19 with two counts of cruelty to animals and illegal possession of a prohibited species.

Her boyfriend Carlos Colon, 33, was arrested in November for three counts of cruelty to animals.

The two dogs were relinquished to New Britain Animal Control. The reptile was turned over to Connecticut Environmental Police.