4 Dogs, 2 Chickens Removed From Home Days After Owner’s Arrest: Hamden PD

HAMDEN, CT — Four dogs and two chickens were removed from a Hamden home days after a resident was arrested on gun charges, according to police.

Members of the Hamden Police Department and the New Haven Shooting Task Force responded to a home on Hobson Avenue on Dec. 20 to execute a search warrant, according to Lt. Raymond Quinn.

Quinn said Timothy Trent, 47, was arrested as a result of the search warrant.

Trent was charged with carrying a handgun without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm, possession of assault weapon prohibited, and possession of a large capacity magazine. He was being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond with a court date of Jan. 23, according to state judicial records.

While executing the search warrant, Quinn said officers saw that there were four dogs and two chickens on the property. A resident, other than the arrestee, told police that they lived there and would be caring for the animals, according to Quinn.

Police then received anonymous information around 1:20 p.m. on Dec. 27 that the animals weren’t being properly care for and Hamden Animal Control officers went to the property, according to Quinn.

“The property is surrounded by a high fence however, Hamden Animal Control Officers observed that there were animals present on scene, fresh footprints in the snow indicating that someone had been there very recently and dog food on the ground,” Quinn wrote in a news release. “Further, a neighbor informed Hamden Animal Control Officers that they had observed someone come to the residence and feed the animals recently. Hamden Animal Control Officers were not able to make contact with a resident at that time. Two of the dogs were aggressively protecting the fenced in area, not allowing the Animal Control Officers to access them.”

WTNH News 8 reported that several residents called police, claiming that several animals were chained to trees and left outside in the cold for days.

Animal control officers went back to the property at 7:45 a.m. on Dec. 28 and couldn’t find a resident at the home, according to Quinn.

Quinn said the animal control went back to the property around 1 p.m. and again nobody was at the time.

“While on scene, Hamden Animal Control Officers were able to make phone contact with a person who was responsible for the animals,” Quinn wrote. “Permission was given to Hamden Animal Control Officers to take the animals into protective custody. Hamden Animal Control Officers, with aid from neighboring town’s Animal Control Officers, were able to access the animals and take them into protective custody.”

Quinn said the investigation into the care and welfare of the animals is ongoing.