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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:




 
 
 

JESSICA M. CHARF pleads not guilty to trying to castrate her dogs

- Nebraska, USA -

 

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 45-year-old JESSICA M. CHARF (pictured), pleaded not guilty to intentional animal cruelty charges after she tried to neuter her two dogs.

 

According to the Douglas Sheriff’s Office, CHARF wanted to neuter her 7-month-old dogs, Cash and Tango, but could not afford a veterinarian to perform the procedure. The sheriff’s office said in a press release that CHARF then googled “banding” “and "decided to neuter her dogs by fixing elastic bands around their scrotums cutting off the blood supply.” This caused Cash and Tango to experience “pain, injury, and infection.” 

 

As explained in the press release, this type of castration is commonly used on livestock, and it is not recommended for dogs.

 

The sheriff’s office said that CHARF claimed she sedated the dogs the same as a veterinarian would. She used a drug called Acepromazine that was prescribed for a different dog she had in the past. CHARF admitted that she never consulted a vet for proper use or dosage on Cash and Tango.   

 

The furvictims were placed in the care of the Nebraska Humane Society and needed surgery to get rid of the infections that the banding caused. The veterinarian who handled their medical care said: “Luckily the infection was quickly controlled.” The vet explained that the infection close to the blood supply has the potential to become fatal if sepsis sets in.

 

CHARF was arrested on May 22, 2024, and charged with two felony counts of torture of an animal. She was released from the Douglas County Jail three days later after posting a $2,500 bail, 10% of the $25,000 set by Judge Thomas Harmon.

 

As stated before, CHARF pleaded not guilty to the charges and waived her preliminary hearing. Her case was sent to Douglas County District Court.

 

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

 


CHARF’s mugshot shared from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office



 
 
 

CODY MARSHALL FITZGERALD, former animal control officer, accused of strangling a defenseless dog

- Oklahoma, USA -

 

⚠️WARNING⚠️The article contains details some of you may find distressing⚠️

 

 

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of 39-year-old CODY MARSHALL FITZGERALD, now a former Seminole County Animal Control Officer.

 

According to the arrest affidavit which I obtained through a public search, on the morning of May 7, 2024, Officer Ricky Amos, acting in the capacity of Seminole Police Chief, was informed by a Seminole State College student that two dogs were inside the double entry doors at the Roesler Residential Hall student housing facility located on campus.

 

Chief Amos and Officer Tim Curry responded to the scene and when they entered the building, Chief Amos approached the dogs who let him pet them. As reported by Chief Amos: “I did not observe any aggressive behavior with the young dogs.”

 

Chief Amos contacted Seminole County Central dispatch and requested the assistance of an Animal Control Officer to pick up the dogs.

 

After approximately an hour, no one showed up from Animal Control so Chief Amos used his own cell phone to search for the Seminole Animal Control Shelter and called the number available on their website. He left a message and since he felt that the dogs were not posing any threat to the students, he and Officer Curry left allowing the dogs to remain where they were until the arrival of an ACO.

 

Approximately half an hour later, Chief Ramos received a call from Kevin Davidson, an employee of the Seminole State College Maintenance.

Mr. Davidson expressed concerns about the ACO that responded to pick up the dogs.

 

As Chief Amos and Officer Curry drove back to the scene, they saw FITZGERALD standing behind his Animal Control vehicle. When they approached him, “he appeared upset and noticed his hands were shaking as he was attempting to load a syringe with what appeared to be a sedative used for a tranquilizer gun.”

 

Chief Amos asked FITZGERALD if he was ok and according to the affidavit, he answered: “I'm tired of this shit.” Chief Amos then asked FITZGERALD whether he had been bitten by the dogs and whether he was bleeding. FITZGERALD responded he had been bitten, however, Chief Amos reported that when he checked his hands, “I did not see any obvious signs of injuries or bleeding at that time.”

 

At that point Chief Amos offered to take care of the dogs and took the catch pole that was lying next to the Animal Control vehicle.

 

When Chief Amos went back into the building, he saw Mr. Davidson who appeared upset. Two female students had one of the two dogs who was shaking and did not want to leave the students. Chief Amos learned that the two kind ladies had been feeding and caring for the dogs for a few days.

 

Mr. Davidson then told Chief Amos that he wanted to show him a video he recorded with his phone “concerning inappropriate actions taken by animal control officer Fitzgerald.”

 

One hour later, Animal Control officer Brenda Hall also responded to the scene to pick up the dogs. Once the dog who was shaking calmed down, one of the two female students carried him/her to the Animal Control vehicle.

 

Chief Amos noted: “It was impressive to witness the calm and professional approach to a tense situation by animal control professional Brenda Hall.”

 

The video, that was thankfully recorded by Mr. Davidson and also posted on his Facebook account, showed FITZGERALD “kneeling on the ground with the weight of his body over the small dog while using his hands to choke and straggle the dog on several occasions.”

 

The defenseless and helpless dog can be heard crying in pain.

 

The affidavit stated: “The small dog appeared to be unable to breathe at times and other times was struggling to breath due to the strangulation.”

 

Chief Amos also reported that he saw FITZGERALD yelling at the defenseless dog “calm your shit” and “Ill choke you out”, “I don't give a shit” as well as “that's it bitch”.

 

The video was presented to the Seminole County District Attorney's Office as evidence.

 

On May 10, 2024, Chief Amos’ attempts to make contact with FITZGERALD were unsuccessful.

 

On July 1, 2024, one felony count of animal cruelty was filed against FITZGERALD. Seminole District Attorney Erik C. Johnson stated that FITZGERALD “unlawfully, willfully, knowingly, and wrongfully” injured a puppy “by punching, sitting on, and strangling the puppy”.

 

News 9 also published a portion of the video. Be aware it is graphic!

 

Needless to say, I have sent out emails to inquire about the Voiceless Victims’ wellbeing and if I get a response, I will  post an update.

 

As I was browsing FITZGERALD’s court records, I found a divorce case. What did you do to that woman FITZ? Did you strangle her too?

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the arrest affidavit. 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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