Man Accused Of Abusing 7-Month-Old Dog: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford man is accused of abusing a 7-month-old dog, according to police.

Franco Bellini-Zabala, 27, of Ward Street, was arrested Friday on a warrant and charged with cruelty to animals. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond with a court date of May 25.

The arrest stems from an investigation that began April 12 after the Wallingford Animal Control requested assistance from police regarding an animal abuse case, according to Sgt. Stephen Jaques.

Jaques said the Wallingford Animal Control Officer was originally notified of the abuse from the Hamden Animal Control Officer, who had previous dealings with Bellini-Zabala and the dog at his work garage in Hamden.

The dog, a 7-month-old Husky, was determined to have sustained multiple fractures and injuries from “multiple traumatic events,” according to Jaques.

During the investigation, police found a video of the abuse that showed a small Husky being “grabbed aggressively by his snout and thrown into a car” by a man matching Bellini-Zabala’s description, Jaques said.

The man was seen holding a “thicker-style” tape similar to duct tape, according to Jaques. The Husky tried to leave the vehicle and could be seen with his snout taped shut, and the man then grabbed the Husky and threw it back into the car, Jaques said.

Wallingford police assisted the animal control in obtaining a search warrant to seize the Husky on April 12.

“It’s anticipated that it may take several weeks to months for the Husky to recover from its injuries,” Jaques wrote in a news release. “After the Husky’s recovery, he will be put up for adoption at the Wallingford Animal Shelter. Please call them at 203-294-2180 if you are interested in giving this Husky a loving home.”

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