Shrewsbury Officer Honored for Animal Cruelty Arrest

Shrewsbury Police Officer John Pitro is being honored as a hero by Pet Rock, a nonprofit organization that promotes kindness to animals and responsible pet ownership.

The annual Pet Rock Fest will be held noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. The organization announced its hero awards this week. The honor is bestowed upon people who have done wonderful things for animals, and vice versa.

Pet Rock provided the following explanation for why it is honoring Pitro:

While on duty, Officer Pitro witnessed Paul Green, 28, of Shrewsbury, yank so violently on the dog’s collar that the 40-pound dog came off the ground and backward 7 to 8 feet! While approaching Mr. Green he repeated the cruel act and told Officer Pitro, “I can train my (expletive) puppy the way I want to train my (expletive) puppy.”

Officer Pitro went above and beyond the line of duty to make an arrest. Mr. Green was arraigned in Westborough District Court on charges of animal cruelty and disorderly conduct. If not for Officer Pitro, this puppy would most certainly have suffered at the hands of a bully who would hurt his trusted animal companion.

Celebrating 14 years, Pet Rock Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast. Held in September each year, it is a family festival that features guest speakers, vegetarian food, live music, games, events, a raffle, vendors, and hundreds of area animal welfare organizations. Pet Rock is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, see Pet Rock's website.