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APRIL BERNHARDT, owner of Hydrant Regency dog kennel, charged with forty counts of animal cruelty

Updated: Sep 15, 2022

- Massachusetts, USA -



~ Update: September 15, 2022


NBC Boston reports that APRIL BERNHARDT (pictured), was released on a $3,000 bail after her arraignment.




~ Original story:


The Rowley Police Department announced that 40-years-old APRIL BERNHARDT, owner of Hydrant Regency dog kennel, has been charged with forty counts of animal cruelty following an investigation conducted by multiple agencies.


In a press release police said that on Saturday, August 27, 2022, officers responded to a report of four goats walking on Route 1 and worked with Animal Control to round them up.


Police and Animal Control determined that the goats had roamed away from the Hydrant Regency on 104 Newburyport Turnpike in Rowley so Animal Control took the goats back. Officers noticed “some concerning issues at the kennel, which led to a follow-up investigation by Rowley Police and Animal Control in collaboration with the MSPCA and Animal Rescue League of Boston” said police.

The FBI's Evidence Response Team also joined the investigation last week, helping to search the property for evidence of dead dogs.


Police said Hydrant Regency has been closed since August 29, 2022.

Animals who were being housed on the property have been returned to their guardians, while the goats are in the custody of the MSPCA.


A post published on August 31, 2022, on Hydrant Regency’s Facebook page read: “Sorry for the delay in responding but we've had a lot of things going on here at The Hydrant Regency. Until Further notice the Hydrant Regency is closed due to kennel improvements. We have an electrical issue that needs immediate attention. Once this has been addressed, we will be back open for business. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”

On Wednesday, September 14, BERNHARDT turned herself in to Rowley Police and was booked at the police station.

BERNHARDT is charged with thirty-nine counts of animal cruelty by custodian and one count of animal cruelty. Police said her arraignment was scheduled to take place later in the day in Newburyport District Court.


WCVB reports that at the arraignment hearing “prosecutors said 37 dogs were found in wire crates in a metal storage trailer without air conditioning and the temperature was 90.6 degrees. The dogs did not have access to water, and some larger dogs were in crates they were unable to stand or turn around in.”


According to WCVB, “The court said a former customer reported one of his dogs died while at the kennel, and a veterinarian said the dog showed signs of dehydration and heat stroke.”


BERNHARDT’s defense attorney said the town animal control officer has worked with Hydrant Regency for years and during the time there were not any reports of abuse, neglect or cruelty.

The attorney also pointed out that when the animal control officer conducted two welfare checks in late August, they did not see any signs of abuse or neglect and the animals did not show any signs of distress.


BERNHARDT was held on a $3,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on October 14, 2022.

The judge said BERNHARDT cannot own or possess any animals or operate any kennel while the case is pending.


Police did not mention in the press release whether any deceased dogs were found.


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

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




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Massachusetts authorities are investigating after a dog was found with burns to her face and body

- Massachusetts, USA -


The Animal Rescue League of Boston is caring for a dog who was found along Route 1 in the area of Ellis Avenue in Norwood, with second-degree burns to her head and body.


The furbaby, a 1-year-old mixed breed female now named Annie, was found by a passerby on August 19, 2022, who then took her to the Norwood Police Station. Annie was wearing a leash and collar but did not have any tags or a microchip.


In a press release the ARL said that Norwood Animal Control Officer Henry Cerqueira contacted ARL Law Enforcement and Annie was transported to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center to treat her wounds.


As the horrific and devastating pictures show, Annie suffered burns on her head, neck, shoulders, front limbs, and abdomen.


On August 22, 2022, Annie was transferred to Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties in Walpole due to the severity of the wounds and pain level.

For several days Annie has received intensive veterinary care before returning to ARL.

As the nonprofit said, Annie “has a long road, perhaps months, of recovery ahead of her.”


ARL's Law Enforcement and Norwood Police Department are jointly investigating the incident as a case of animal cruelty and abandonment.

Both agencies are now reaching out to the public for help in hopes of finding the monster(s) responsible for this heinous crime.


If you have any information that can help with this ongoing investigation, please, come forward and speak up for the VOICELESS VICTIM.

Please call ARL Law Enforcement at (617) - 426 - 9170 ext. 110 or submit your tips via email.

Alternatively, please call the Norwood Police Department at (781) - 440 - 5100. Thank you!


If you wish and can afford to donate toward Annie’s medical expenses, please visit the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s website. Thank you!


When a story puts a huge knot in my stomach, I struggle to express my feelings so, right now, the only thing I can say to the heartless, soulless, and useless individual who did this to Annie is, may life treat you and the people you love the most, the SAME way you treated Annie!


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

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




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KAYLAB DIEDERICHS arrested for fatally stabbing his girlfriend’s cat

- Massachusetts, USA -


On the evening of Thursday, September 1, officers with the Mansfield Police Department responded to an address on North Main Street, Mansfield, for a report of a domestic disturbance.


Following a brief investigation, officers determined that 29-years-old KAYLAB DIEDERICHS “had committed the crime of Assault and Battery on an Intimate Partner in violation of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 265 §13M/B”, said police in a press release.


DIEDERICHS was taken into custody and transported to the police station for booking.


As the 41-year-old female victim was being assisted, officers learned that her cat “had been severely beaten and was suffering from what appeared to be substantial life-threatening injuries”, stated the release.


The obvious signs of trauma to the 6-year-old cat named Mama Mittens “necessitated immediate transportation to Tufts Veterinary Emergency Center in Walpole, MA by Animal Control Officer Collins,” said police.

Sadly, the furbaby was euthanized “as a result of two puncture wounds, lung trauma, a broken leg, and a skull fracture.”


DIEDERICHS was additionally charged with cruelty to an animal “(Did cruelly beat, mutilate or kill an animal) in violation of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 272 §77A”, said police.


On Friday, September 2, 2022, DIEDERICHS, of 265 North Main Street, was arraigned in Attleboro District Court on the aforementioned charges .


The Sun Chronicle reports that Attleboro District Court Judge Edmund Mathers ordered DIEDERICHS held without bail saying he found allegations against the defendant “sadistic and depraved.”

Following a pre-trial detention hearing, Judge Mathers deemed DIEDERICHS a dangerous person.

The Sun Chronicle further reports that DIEDERICHS pleaded innocent to domestic assault and battery and cruelty to animals.


According to the Sun Chronicle, DIEDERICHS’ girlfriend testified that when she came home on Thursday, she “found blood on the bathroom walls and sink” and when she could not find Mama Mittens, she feared for the worst because in the past DIEDERICHS had threatened to kill the furbaby.


After she confronted DIEDERICHS, he punched her twice but she was able to escape and call the police from a friend’s apartment.


The Sun Chronicle reports that after DIEDERICHS was placed under arrest, the girlfriend found Mama Mittens hiding and bleeding.


Police confiscated a utility knife and a bloody shirt. Reportedly, DIEDERICHS’ arms were covered in scratches from Mama Mittens.


According to Assistant District Attorney Alexandria Murphy, DIEDERICHS had no prior arrests in Massachusetts but had a criminal record in five other states.


As reported by the Sun Chronicle, “Under the state’s dangerousness law, Diederichs can be held without bail for up to 120 days while the prosecution prepares for trial. The case was continued to the end of the month for a pretrial conference.”


Yesterday, after reading the police’s press release, I found it disappointing that the end of the release read: “Due to the nature of this crime being of Domestic Violence, the exact address and name of the offender are being withheld at this time.”


First of all, I thought there were two victims and two crimes in this case. A cat is dead because she was stabbed and that’s animal cruelty.

KAYLAB DIEDERICHS is not just a vile individual who punches women, he is also an animal abuser and as such, he needs to be exposed. Law enforcement need to take a clear stand against animal cruelty and my opinion is that the Mansfield Police Department failed to do so by withholding KAYLAB DIEDERICHS’ identity and mugshot.


After searching court records, I found KAYLAB DIEDERICHS’ case and after Googling his name, I came across the article published by the Sun Chronicle so I was able to add additional information to the police’s press release.


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

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.





 
 
 

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