MA Dog Died In Trainer's Care, Then She Lied About It: Police

NORTH READING, MA — A dog trainer is facing allegations that a dog died in her care and then she lied about it, according to North Reading police. Police have obtained a criminal summons against the woman accused of running a dog training scam.

The unnamed Haddam, CT woman will be charged with two felonies: larceny over $1,200 by false pretense and obstruction of/misleading a police officer.

A North Reading resident reported Sept. 16 that their three-year-old French bulldog had not been returned by its Haddam-based trainer following an agreed-upon training period.

Police investigated and found the dog had died around Sept. 4, but the trainer sent the owner photos of what was represented to be training after that date.

A necroscopy performed by the University of Connecticut determined that the dog was emaciated at the time of its death.

Police said that the trainer made numerous false or misleading statements to hinder the investigation.

The woman was issued a summons and her case will be heard before a district court clerk magistrate.

Police contacted the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about the case. Four other dogs were recovered and safely returned to their owners in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.