Woodbridge Police Sgt. Ed Thomas said Patrice Oraegbu, 34, turned herself into police headquarters Wednesday after a warrant had been issued for her.
“Animal Control drove by in the morning and then again in the afternoon and the dogs were still outside without water and the temperature was over 90 degrees,” Thomas said of the second incident.
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| Animal Control Officer, Karen Lombardi, holds Snoopy, a pit bull puppy. Fellow officer, Paul Niedmann, holds German Shepherds, Satin, left, and Sadie at the Woodbridge shelter. The dogs were rescued from a neglectful owner. |
Thomas said Oraegbu was issued a warning over a month ago, and the three dogs were seized about two weeks ago.
Oraegbu disputes the police account and said she is being targeted by animal control.
“I feel this woman (animal control) wants to take my dogs … If I am being charged with cruelty then I wonder if she is racist,” Oraegbu said. Oraegbu is African American.
Animal Control Officer Karen Lombardi said Friday that Oraegbu’s comments do not warrant a response.
However, Oraegbu said she has yet to see the police report, which she said is unfair.
“I am being known as animal cruelty and I have done nothing wrong,” Oraegbu said.
Oraegbu disputes the dogs were without water. She said one dog knocked over its water and you cannot see if they have water unless you enter the property.
Oraegbu said her two 9-month-old German Shepherds and 2-month-old pit bull terrier are therapeutic for her three young children. She said the children’s father passed away four years ago from cancer and since then the children have been withdrawn. The dogs have been important companions for her children, Oraegbu said.
She said she has not slept for two weeks since the animals were removed from her home by animal control.
Oraegbu said she has retained an attorney and is due to appear in New Haven Superior Court Aug. 15.
(New Haven Register - August 3, 2012)
