Woodstock Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty: Police

WOODSTOCK, CT — A local woman is accused of neglecting several animals at her home, including horses, dogs, cats and geese.

On Wednesday, state police charged Victoria A. Lussier, 56, on a warrant with 13 counts of cruelty to animals.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG) Animal Control Services’ division.

A concerned citizen contacted NECCOG in May 2024 about Lussier’s residence, prompting animal control officers to visit, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Officers detected a strong smell of urine and feces, and saw feces and flies surrounding the outside of the door to the house, the warrant shows.

They determined Lussier had dogs that were overweight and had hair loss. They also found underweight horses, and malnourished cats infested with fleas. Geese were roaming outside without proper access to food, water and shelter, the warrant shows.

Officers spoke with Lussier and visited the house on multiple occasions in the summer of 2024 to check on the condition of the animals, the warrant shows. According to police, Lussier was not properly feeding the animals or getting needed veterinary care for them.

On Sept. 18, officers seized two horses, three dogs, three cats, two kittens and three geese from the property. According to police, the inside of the home was “not livable,” due to feces.

Lussier is slated to be arraigned in Superior Court in Danielson Feb. 19.