Woman Accused Of Selling Underage Kitten In Southington

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A Bristol woman turned herself in at Southington police headquarters Tuesday morning after learning of a warrant for her arrest, accusing her of knowingly selling an underage kitten which eventually died.

Abigale Jones, 31, was charged with second-degree violation of conditions of release and sale of an underage kitten. She was released after posting $50,000 bond, and is slated to appear in New Britain Superior Court Sept. 17.

Under Connecticut law, C.G.S.A. § 22-354, it is illegal to sell or offer for adoption or transfer within the state any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks.

On Aug. 2, a complaint was made with Southington Animal Control following the death of a recently adopted kitten. The complainant reported in July she adopted a kitten from Tenderheart Rescue of Bristol, operated by Jones. The adoption took place at a home in Southington where the kitten was being fostered, Lt. Keith Egan said.

The complainant suspected Jones was not truthful about either the kitten’s health or age at the time of adoption. She said Jones told her the kitten was eight weeks old at the time of adoption;
however, it was later believed the kitten was in fact much younger. Veterinarian paperwork
provided at the time of adoption, dated July 23, 2021, listed the kitten as being five weeks of age
at the time, five days prior to being adopted, making the kitten five to six weeks old at the time of
adoption, Egan said.

The complainant said on July 27, she contacted Stacey's Pet Porium on Facebook about a kitten they had posted for adoption. The following day she received a response to contact Jones and made arrangements to meet her that day in Southington. That afternoon, she met with Jones and immediately noticed the kitten was very small, asking the kitten’s age and health. Jones responded the kitten, named Eddie, was eight weeks old and healthy. The complainant adopted the kitten for $150 cash, Egan said.

After bringing the kitten home, it appeared weak, had difficulty eating solid food, and later
developed diarrhea. On Aug. 2, it was found dead. The complainant immediately contacted Jones, advised her of the death, and that the kitten appeared to be younger than reported. She then noted the veterinarian paperwork, dated July 23, 2021, listed the kitten at being five weeks old, leading her to contact Southington Animal Control, Egan said.

Southington Animal Control investigation was able to confirm, via text and Facebook messages,
conversations between the complainant and Jones, wherein she is told the kitten was eight weeks old and "ready to go." Moreover, the name of the kitten and photographs confirmed the same kitten as the deceased. Postings on Facebook also show the kitten dated July 24, stating, "Now taking applications on Eddie. Will be ready to go Aug 7th. He will have first wellness visit and shots. Serious inquiries only," Egan said.

A veterinarian examination done on Aug. 2 concluded, based on the small size, the kitten was
only six to seven weeks old. The next day, Southington Animal control contacted Jones about the adoption. Jones denied being present for the adoption, but stated the kitten was eight weeks of age and in good health, Egan said.

An interview with the foster home confirmed Jones is the person primarily responsible to
the care for the animals and the adoptions. The investigation concluded Jones adopted the kitten,
who was under eight weeks of age at the time of the adoption, that Jones would have had
knowledge of the kitten’s age and did not disclose it to the adopter. This likely resulted in the
kitten being unknowingly neglected of adequate care such as kitten formula, likely contributing
to its decline and ultimate death, Egan said.

Judicial records show Jones has a pending case in New Britain Superior Court from 2020, with charges including two counts of cruelty to animals, practicing veterinary medicine without a license and operating an animal facility without a license.

To register for free Southington breaking news alerts and more, click here.