NORTH READING – Chief Mark Zimmerman reports that the North Reading Police Department has obtained a criminal summons against a woman accused of a dog training scam.
A 27-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, OF HADDAM, CONN., will be charged with:
- Larceny Over $1,200 by False Pretense, a felony
- Obstruction of/Misleading a Police Officer, a felony
On Saturday, Sept. 16, a North Reading resident reported their dog, a 3-year-old French Bulldog, had not been returned by its trainer in Haddam, Conn, following an agreed-upon training period.
An initial investigation determined that the dog had died on or about Sept. 4, though the trainer sent the owner photos of what was purported to be training after that date.
North Reading Police subsequently determined that the trainer made numerous false or misleading statements to officers during interviews, for the purpose of hindering the investigation.
Based on its investigations, North Reading Police have decided to seek a summons against the woman, whose case will be heard before a District Court Clerk Magistrate at a later date.
A necroscopy performed by the University of Connecticut determined that the dog was emaciated at time of death.
North Reading Police have contacted the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in regards to this case. Through this investigation and with the cooperation of law enforcement partners in Connecticut, four other dogs were recovered and safely returned to their owners in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further inquiries should be directed to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office.
