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DAVID WILSON RIVERA JR, ex-New Canaan cop, sentenced for role in killing dogs at Black Rock Canine

- Connecticut, USA -

 

On July 8, 2024, 36-year-old DAVID WILSON RIVERA JR (pictured), former New Canaan police officer and owner of Black Rock Canine, was sentenced in Waterbury Superior Court for his role in the death of many dogs at his business.

 

It all started in April 2022, when the Naugatuck Police Department was notified by the Department of Agriculture, the Stratford Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, and the State Police Bomb Squad about an investigation into RIVERA as a New Canaan police officer.

 

Naugatuck Police then began an investigation into Black Rock Canine, a facility on Hunters Mountain Road in Naugatuck aimed at training military and police dogs. The facility was housing thirty-six dogs. In connection with this investigation, Naugatuck Police arrested in May 2022, RIVERA, his father, DAVID RIVERA SR, and general manager 35-year-old DANIEL TAYLOR LUNA (both also pictured).

 

RIVERA JR and LUNA turned themselves in on May 2, 2022.

 

LUNA was accused of abusing numerous dogs and puppies, leaving puppies outside in harsh weather elements leading to their death, and shooting dogs who were “useless” to the business.

 

RIVERA JR. was charged with conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and conspiracy to commit euthanization of a canine.

 

At that point, RIVERA was already facing explosive charges. He had been arrested after explosives were found at his Stratford home. RIVERA used the explosives in his business training working dogs for various organizations and according to the warrant, he had no permit for the possession of the high explosives and also had an assault weapon.

 

On May 3, 2022, Naugatuck police executed another search and seizure warrant at Black Rock Canines and removed the thirty-one (31) remaining dogs. The furvictims were placed in the care of different shelters. Officials also discovered the remains of four dogs on the property.

 

During a press conference, Naugatuck Police Chief Colin McAllister said that several dogs were abused and injured while at Black Rock Canine and that RIVERA and LUNA shot and killed at least ten dogs and buried them on the property.

 

For his malicious wounding or killing of an animal charge RIVERA was sentenced to five years, suspended after two years with three years of probation to follow.

For the reckless endangerment charge, he was sentenced to 364 days in jail to be served concurrently.

In total, RIVERA will serve three years in jail followed by three years of probation.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

 

 

RIVERA’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Connecticut Department of Correction


Sources:




 
 
 

SHELTON CORNELIUS OWENS JR arrested –Two dead dogs and a mistreated puppy found at a Bay County home

- Florida, USA -

 

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36-year-old SHELTON CORNELIUS OWENS JR (pictured).

 

According to the arrest report obtained by Voice For Us, on June 25, 2024, a deputy responded to a property on 6722 W Smith Road in Panama City to investigate an animal complaint call.

 

Upon arrival, the deputy saw a “mistreated puppy” who was “chained to a tree outside of the residence.” The deputy reported that the puppy appeared to be very skittish and did not have any available food or water. Additionally, the deputy noticed minor injuries on the puppy's ears which appeared to be from the restraints.

 

The deputy knocked on the door and was able to make contact with OWENS.

 

OWENS told the deputy he had three dogs; a 6-month-old puppy whom the deputy saw chained outside, and two Pitbulls.

 

The deputy and OWENS walked to the back of the residence and the deputy saw the two Pitbulls “laying chained up in a fenced enclosure.”

 

According to the report, the enclosure had a blue tarp which was ripped and worn and was not providing shade from the sun. There were two broken dog houses, empty bowls, and there was no sign of food or water.

 

Sadly, both Pitbulls were found lifeless.

 

OWENS was placed under arrest and he stated that he takes good care of his dogs and had no idea how this happened. He claimed he gave the dogs food and water every day.

 

OWENS took such good care of the dogs that he was “unable to provide a definite time as to when he last saw the dogs alive.”

 

The deputy later made contact with the complainant and learned that all three dogs  never went inside the home and stayed chained outside the whole time. The complainant added they rarely saw OWENS checking on the dogs and estimated that happened roughly once or twice a month. According to the complainant, the tarp had been ripped and unusable for several months.

 

The report stated that the complainant had previously alerted Bay County Animal Control to the situation but no one responded. The complainant had been so concerned for the dogs’ well-being that they have given water to the dogs and have checked on them .

 

OWENS was transported to the Bay County Jail and booked on two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of animal cruelty.

 

On June 26, 2024, OWENS had his bond hearing and was given a pre-trial release bond. The judge set the condition to not have any animals.

 

OWENS is expected back in court on August 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

All Court appearances will be in the Bay County Courthouse on 300 East 4th Street in Panama City.

 

I truly apologize for not having all the information I wanted to give you on the Voiceless Victims but I have been sitting on this story for a week waiting for responses. I will continue to send out emails and if someone gets back to me, I will post an update.

 

I took the liberty of naming the deceased furvictims Blossom and Dew for the tribute image.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the arrest report obtained by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should such sources report an update.

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.

 

 

OWENS’ mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office



 
 
 

MICHAEL MOORE arrested – One dead dog and twenty-six live ones found in inhumane conditions

- Texas, USA -

 

On June 27, 2024, Bexar County Animal Control Services alerted the Bexar County Sheriff's Office to an animal cruelty case at a residence in the 7800 block of Fossil Banks on the northwest side of San Antonio.

 

Residents reported seeing rats around the residence, and dogs who were not being properly cared for.

 

On June 29, 2024, deputies with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office responded to the given address and encountered the homeowner, 57-year-old MICHAEL MOORE (pictured).

 

According to the press release by the sheriff’s office, when deputies opened the door, they were “immediately struck by a strong odor of urine and feces.”

 

While speaking with MOORE, deputies saw deplorable living conditions inside the residence with the living room floor covered “in what appeared to be a foot-high layer of animal feces”, stated the release.

 

Deputies also saw that several dogs were living in those inhumane conditions. Sadly, one dog was found deceased in the kitchen.

 

Bexar County Animal Control, the City of San Antonio Animal Control, and Bexar County Fire Hazmat were called to the scene and with their assistance deputies removed twenty-six (26) dogs.

 

The Voiceless Victims were taken to a local veterinarian to be examined and medical reports showed the majority suffered from “poor body weight, visible spines and ribs, urine stains on their fur, and feces encrusted in their paws and nails”, according to the release.

                                                                         

MOORE was placed under arrest and booked into the Bexar County Jail on charges of cruelty to non-livestock animals for failing to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter; abandonment; transporting in a cruel manner; bodily injury; or overworking the animal.

 

MOORE was released after posting a $2,000 bail.

 

The sheriff’s office advised that additional charges are forthcoming and have not been ruled out as the outcome of the dogs’ medical examinations are pending.

 

At the time of writing, the sheriff’s office has not come back to me with the information I requested about the dog who was found dead. So, I took the liberty of naming him/her Leaf for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. 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.

 


MOORE’s mugshot shared from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office




 
 
 

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