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SARAH ANNE SMOLAK arrested – Twenty-seven dogs removed from her home, four of them are in critical condition

- Connecticut, USA -


Following a cruelty to animals investigation, the Winchester Police Department announced the arrest of 28-year-old SARAH ANNE SMOLAK (pictured).


Police said that on the early morning of March 18, 2025, officers went to a residence on 86 Strong Terrace in Winsted and served two arrest warrants for SMOLAK. Police explained the warrants were part of a joint investigation by the Department, the Town of Harwinton Regional Animal Control Department, and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Animal Control Officers.


The investigation further led to the removal of twenty-seven (27) dogs who are being “examined, housed, and cared for locally”, said police.


The investigation into SMOLAK was launched in February 2025, shortly after she moved to Winsted when Winchester Police received a complaint from AMA Animal Rescue, regarding one of its foster dogs, a Pitbull named Marshmallow. AMA is based in Brooklyn, New York.


AMA Animal Rescue told police they entrusted Marshmallow to SMOLAK in December 2024, but Marshmallow had since disappeared and SMOLAK refused to disclose his whereabouts.


SMOLAK is charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. She was released after her arraignment on the condition to not “possess” animals.


According to a warrant for SMOLAK’s arrest, she is accused of failing to get medical treatment for Pancake and Seraphine, two dogs she had been “fostering” for animal rescue groups.


Pancake had a serious gastronomical issue causing her to lose weight but SMOLAK said it was due to her throwing up. SMOLAK took Pancake to a vet and it was determined that Pancake needed surgery. The vet reported that SMOLAK first attempted to leave with Pancake and then left leaving the furvictim behind. The vet alerted the authorities, and Pancake underwent surgery and thankfully recovered.


A second warrant described Seraphine’s condition after staying with SMOLAK for a period of time. According to the warrant, Seraphine suffered from hair loss, had open sores, was limping, and her spine and rib cage were visible.


Marshmallow was not among the twenty-seven dogs removed from SMOLAK's home on Tuesday and is still missing. AMA is offering a $2,500 reward for information on his whereabouts.


In a Facebook post AMA Animal Rescue said:

“AMA Animal Rescue acknowledges the arrest of Sarah Smolak by the Winchester Police Department on charges of animal cruelty and urges law enforcement and the public to remain vigilant in the ongoing search for Marshmallow, a missing dog last known to be in Smolak’s care.

According to the Winchester Police Department’s official press release, Smolak was arrested on two counts of animal cruelty, and twenty-four dogs were seized from her custody. This arrest confirms what we and countless animal advocates have long feared—dogs in Smolak’s care have suffered neglect, abuse, and even disappearance. In recent weeks, pet owners and animal rescues from across the country have come forward with similar horror stories about their animals, and we believe there are many more victims.

While we are relieved that Smolak has finally been held accountable for her actions, Marshmallow is still missing. He was last entrusted to her care, and she has yet to disclose his whereabouts. We urge anyone with information to come forward immediately.”


Winchester Police Chief Christopher Ciuci expressed his gratitude to advocacy groups and area law enforcement partners from as far as Long Island, NY, who provided information and assistance.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Winchester 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.





TRE SPENCER PATRIZZ arrested after dragging behind a vehicle a dog he was hired to train

- Connecticut, USA -


On March 3, 2025, the South Windsor Police Department received a 911 call from 26-year-old TRE SPENCER PATRIZZ (pictured), claiming his dog had jumped out of his vehicle while he was driving.


On the same day, another call came to 911 after PATRIZZ was witnessed driving a vehicle down Buckland Road with a dog tethered to the back of the vehicle. The caller said that in order to get PATRIZZ to stop, he had to cut him off.


Police said in a press release that officers located PATRIZZ at the New England Veterinary Center in Windsor where he had taken the dog.

PATRIZZ claimed he forgot the dog was tethered to the vehicle.


Officers arrested him on charges of tethering a dog to a mobile device and cruelty to animals. He was processed and held on a $10,000 surety bond.


Police said the dog is not PATRIZZ’s, instead, the dog’s guardian had hired PATRIZZ to train him.


The furvictim sustained “significant road rash to his underbelly and paws”, but police said the injuries do not appear to be life threatening “and he will likely make a full recovery after long term bandage care and pain management.”


Samonna Jones, started an online fundraiser to help with the medical costs for the dog identified as Krown. According to the GoFundMe page, Krown’s guardian is Samonna’s sister. At the time of writing, a total of $1,225 has been raised.


A Facebook post by Tyler Regional Animal Care Shelter – Tracs, advised that Krown, whom they referred to as K., is still at New England Veterinary Center and Cancer Care where he is receiving around the clock care.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the South Windsor 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.


PATRIZZ’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the South Windsor Police Department





TYLER FLINT GRIMES arrested – Police found a decaying dog and malnourished cat and dog in his home

- Connecticut, USA -


Following a traffic stop conducted by officers with the Torrington Police Department, 40-year-old TYLER FLINT GRIMES (pictured) was placed under arrest on an active warrant stemming from an animal cruelty investigation.


According to the arrest warrant, on August 19, 2024, Goshen Animal Control Officer Graham received a phone call regarding GRIMES. ACO Graham had had dealings with him in the past when his dog named Gonzo had run away from him.


ACO Graham reached out to the Connecticut State Police and Troopers Begley and Coretto were dispatched to meet with her.


ACO Graham reported that when she arrived at GRIMES' home, the home lacked basic maintenance and that there was a strong odor of decay coming from two open doorways in the home. According to the report, it was clear that GRIMES' living situation was unsuitable for humans, and especially unsuitable for animals.


ACO Graham said that the initial room had an array of objects that were piled in heaps about waist height, and at some points higher than that.


When ACO Graham and Trooper Coretto went to the ground floor, at the bottom of the stairs they found a deceased Pitbull named Harlem estimated to be around 3 years old. Harlem was surrounded in fecal matter and he was lying in his own intestines. Draped across Harlem's neck was a cord from the curtain above him. Given the condition Harlem was found in, officers determined he had been dead for approximately a month. Harlem was malnourished with bones clearly visible under the skin. As stated in the report, Harlem likely did not die of natural causes, but rather neglect.


As officers were examining Harlem, they heard a meowing coming from a cat inside the home. ACO Graham said that when she petted the feline, named Little Cat, she “could only feel her skeletal structure”, indicating she was extremely malnourished.


In the kitchen, officers found empty cat food cans and dog food bags, and other clutter lying on the floor that was covered with feces. There was also a couch in the center of this disarray and on the couch was a Pitbull named Gonzo sitting quietly. ACO Graham said Gonzo was extremely friendly and “navigated through the room over to us.” Gonzo was malnourished, had what looked to be a tumor growing from his leg, masses across the body, and his nails were overgrown.


When ACO Graham took a statement from the caller, she learned that GRIMES had had the animals for years and had “resources available to him from the town and friends that he declined to utilize.” The caller advised ACO Graham that she told GRIMES she would take Little Cat but he refused to give her the cat or surrender the animals.


ACO Graham explained in her report that Little Cat and Gonzo were taken into “what is known as emergency custody, pending a verified petition to the court to receive permanent custody.”


Little Cat and Gonzo were examined by a veterinarian and it was determined that Gonzo had a bilateral ear infection, a skin infection, was malnourished, his nails were severely overgrown causing deformation to his feet. He also had masses across the entirety of his body and a significant wheeze. His ears were so chronically infected that one of his ear canals was closed shut.


According to the report, Gonzo's first bowel movement consisted of paper products and trash, and very little fecal matter, indicating that he had likely been primarily eating contents from the floor rather than dog food.


Little Cat was severely malnourished with prominent spine, hip, rib protrusion, and significant muscle wasting. At the kennel, Little Cat immediately drank over a cup and a half of water, to the point where staff had to slow down her drinking.


GRIMES was arrested on February 14, 2024, transferred to State Police custody and transported to Troop L in Litchfield for processing.

GRIMES was charged with three counts of cruelty to animals and bond was set at $75,000.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from information released by the Connecticut State Police. 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.


GRIMES' mugshot shared from Connecticut State Police




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