Ex-Pat's Dog Trainer Had Plan To Mislead Police, Prosecutors Say

WRENTHAM, MA — Former dog trainer Amelia Ferreira appeared in court Thursday, a day after a warrant was issued for failing to appear on her scheduled court day.

Ferreira, 41, of Cranston, was supposed to be at Wrentham District Court Wednesday but told the Sun Chronicle that she mixed up the dates and realized her mistake after seeing reports of her no-show, with her lawyer adding that the Labor Day holiday added to the confusion.

Prosecutors alleged that Ferreira has an elaborate and well thought out plan to mislead police and the family of former New England Patriot Jerod Mayo. Ferreira originally told police in July that she was walking Mayo's family dog Knox and another dog around Joe's Rock in Wrentham when Knox "simply vanished" while she was attending to the other dog. At the time, Wrentham Police call the circumstances of Knox's disappearance mysterious, noting that there was no blood or fur around the area where the dog supposedly went missing and the fact that English Bulldogs are not known for running due to their short legs and poor cardio.

Police found the body of Knox in a bag inside a closet in Ferreira's home in the Edgewood neighborhood of Cranston.

In a letter to the Sun Chronicle, Ferreira denied killing Knox and apologized for not telling the truth about the English bulldog. Her lawyer stated that his client is someone "who was scared for a variety of reasons.”

Ferreira is not expected to face any more charges due to an inconclusive necropsy. No evidence of trauma was observed on a full body radiography.

Ferreira was released on personal recognizance. Assistant District Attorney Courtney Kiernan requested $5,000 cash bail. She is due back in court in November.

Image Credit: Dan Libon/Patch