Convicted Felon Shoots Pet Dog, Claims Euthanasia: Police

WESTBROOK, CT — A Westbrook man is accused of shooting and killing his pet dog on Tuesday, according to authorities.

State police charged Wesley Bassett, 51, with cruelty to animals, illegal discharge of a firearm, and criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition.

According to police, Bassett initially denied shooting the animal, then later said he was putting it down due to its health problems.

Bassett is a convicted felon, and he is not allowed to have firearms, police said.

Under Connecticut law, euthanization of dogs and cats may only be performed by licensed veterinarians in a humane manner.

State and Westbrook police went to Essex Road around 5:10 p.m. Tuesday after a veterinary hospital told them Bassett had left a voicemail after hours. The hospital employee reported calling Bassett back, and said he had made comments about putting his dog down, according to police.

After police arrived and spoke to Bassett, they observed a large pool of blood near his camper. They also saw a leash and dog collar which contained blood, according to police.

After police asked about the dog’s whereabouts, Bassett reportedly told them his dog had been ill and dying and he did the "humane" thing by putting it down. Bassett initially claimed he had someone else put the dog down, but refused to name who did it, police said.

Bassett led police to the wood line behind the residence, and he told police he left the dog there so coyotes would take the remains, according to police.

An animal control officer responded to the scene too. Officials consulted the state Department of Agriculture and confirmed that shooting an ill dog to euthanize it is prohibited under state law, police said. The dog’s remains were taken for a necropsy.

“Upon re-interviewing Bassett with the (animal control officer) present, Bassett repeatedly explained that he was doing the right thing for the dog,” police said, in a press release. “Bassett explained that the dog was lame due to a tick-borne illness, however lameness in and of itself is not fatal to animals.”

Police claim Bassett subsequently admitted to killing the dog himself by shooting it and said he initially lied because he is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Police said they confirmed he is a convicted felon and ineligible to have a gun. Police seized a 9 mm pistol in the camper with four live rounds in the magazine, along with 76 additional live 9 mm rounds, police said.

Bassett is scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court in Middletown on Feb. 18.