4 Newborn Kittens Left In Dumpster, 1 Survives: Animal Control

BRANFORD, CT — A Branford man has been charged with animal cruelty for leaving four newborn kittens in a dumpster, Branford Animal Control Department said.

On Sept. 15, 2023, the Branford Animal Control Department received a frantic call from a concerned resident stating newborn kittens were crying in a dumpster, animal control said.

When animal control staff arrived, they found four kittens in total. One was deceased upon arrival, one was critical and struggling to breathe, and two were actively crying, animal control said.

All four kittens were found soaking wet due to downpours of rain that day, outside of a plastic garbage bag and at the bottom of a dumpster, animal control said.

All kittens were immediately transported to the veterinarian, but only one kitten is surviving and has been reunited with its mother, animal control said.

The animal shelter has custody of the mother and the remaining kitten, animal control said.

On Monday, Oct. 23, after a thorough investigation by Animal Control Officer Pamela Weiss, with the assistance of the Branford Police, Denzel Hunter, 30, of Branford, was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals, animal control said.

Hunter is currently in police custody and is being held on a court-set $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 25 at 9 a.m., animal control said.