Dog Found Deceased In Mansfield Results In Animal Cruelty Charge

MANSFIELD, CT — A Windham woman is facing an animal cruelty charge in connection with a dog found deceased on the side of Route 32 last week, state police said.

The charge was levied against 28-year-old Windham resident Mariah Reeves in a warrant dated Nov. 7, according to an arrest report.

According to a warrant, The case dates back to Oct. 23, when, at 10:18 a.m. state police and Mansfield Animal Control officers received a call about a deceased dog located near the Mansfield Drive In. When they arrived at the scene — an abandoned house at 228 Stafford Road — the ACO encountered a strong stench and a dog inside a wire crate that was, indeed, dead.

The metal crate had smeared blood in it, had a blue bowl inside and had been tipped on its side, according to a warrant.

The dog's microchip was traced to a Windham resident who said she had "re-homed" the dog to a friend — Reeves — because of financial reasons, according to a warrant. When the ACO arrived at Reeves' apartment, the same stench was emanating from the doorway and neighbors said they had first noticed it two weeks earlier, according to a warrant.

According to statement to police outlined in the warrant, those who knew Reeves urged to find a new home for the dog because she wasn't taking care of it properly.

The dog was "neglected and uncared for," authorities said in a warrant.