MATTHEW ALEX HARRIS arrested after seven neglected dogs were removed from his Naugatuck home

- Connecticut, USA -

The Naugatuck Police Department announced the arrest of 31-year-old MATTHEW ALEX HARRIS (pictured).

Police said in a press release that on July 1, 2025, Animal Control responded to the area of Morning Dove Road in reference to two roaming dogs.

Animal Control found two Bulldogs who were “emaciated and had multiple wounds”, so ACO took them to the veterinarian for treatment.

The following day, HARRIS went to Naugatuck Animal Control to pick up the two dogs but due to the condition the dogs were found in, Animal Control explained that Officers would need to do a welfare check of his home.

Once at HARRIS’ home, Animal Control Officers discovered that he had five additional dogs. Those five dogs were malnourished and had skin infections as well as old wounds.

HARRIS was arrested and charged with two counts of animal cruelty. He was released on a $50,000 surety bond.

As part of the investigation, the Naugatuck Police Detective Bureau applied for and were granted a search and seizure warrant for HARRIS’ home to ensure that there were no additional dogs in the house. Police said no additional dogs were found.

As a result of the search and seizure warrant, HARRIS is charged with five additional counts of animal cruelty and one count of risk of injury to a minor.

The seven dogs were signed over to Naugatuck Animal Control and as stated in the release, they are now “in need of rescue placement for further rehabilitation and treatment.”

Police said if you know of a rescue, or are a rescue and can help with the dogs, please contact ACO Brittany Tooth at 203-729-4324 or email AnimalControl@naugatuckpd.gov. Thank you!

HARRIS is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on July 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Naugatuck Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

HARRIS’ mugshot shared from the Naugatuck Police Department

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!

Male accused of abandoning a dog in Attleboro tied to a trash can in extreme heat has been identified

- Massachusetts, USA -

The Attleboro Police Department took to social media after a dog was found abandoned on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, near the USA Food Mart on 101 Park Street, a short distance from Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

An Animal Control Officer responded and took custody of the furvictim, a small brown terrier-type dog. Police tell me the dog's name is Coco.

Police said the dog was found tied to a trash can while much of Massachusetts, including Bristol County, was under a heat advisory. The poor soul was left exposed to the heat for over two hours with only a bowl of water.

Officers were alerted at approximately 11:19 a.m. and a surveillance camera showed an individual walking with Coco around 9:00 a.m. Cameras also captured the male tying Coco to the trash can.

Police released a surveillance image of the male in question and reached out to the public for assistance in identifying him.

The following day, police advised that investigators identified the male but did not release his identity. The unnamed animal abuser was charged with two felony counts of cruelty to animals. He will be arraigned in Attleboro District Court in the near future.

Coco is in the care of Animal Control and was treated for heat distress.

I asked the Attleboro Police Department whether the individual said why he abandoned the dog and according to police, he said: "he forgot about the dog."

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 Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from information released by the Attleboro Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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Dade County Sheriff deputy fired for leaving his Officer K9 in a hot car which resulted in her death

- Georgia, USA -

On July 13, 2025, while the heat index in Trenton was around 100 to 102 degrees, Officer K9 Georgia (pictured) with the Dade County Sheriff’s Office was left in her patrol car while her handler was inside the sheriff's office.

Officer K9 Georgia was later sadly found lifeless inside the vehicle’s kennel.

According to the press release by the sheriff's office, an investigation was immediately launched, and it emerged that while Officer K9 Georgia was in the vehicle, the heat alarm was not working. Additionally, the air conditioner compressor malfunctioned requiring total replacement of the compressor.

These two factors, coupled with Officer K9 Georgia “being left unattended for what we considered to be an unacceptable amount of time, contributed to her passing”, stated the release.

At the direction of Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross, Officer K9 Georgia’s handler is no longer an employee of the sheriff’s office. The case will be turned over to the Dade County District Attorney’s Office to determine if prosecution is warranted. Depending on the DA’s decision, the sheriff’s office will know what additional details can be released.

“Our hearts are aching at the loss of K-9 Georgia. Many of you know that she was donated to us by a local family, at no cost to the sheriff’s office. She was an amazing bloodhound who was sweet, goofy, and had all the potential to be the ‘best of the best’. She will be deeply missed by everyone at our office, and by anyone who had the pleasure to meet her”, said the sheriff’s office.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Dade County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!