South Street couple charged with animal cruelty

CONNECTICUT -- A South Street couple is facing animal cruelty charges after an Animal Control Officer found a pit bull in their care malnourished, dehydrated and with maggots eating open sores under the dog’s tight-fitting collar.

Syra Santana, 44, and Wilfredo Andino, 44, came under investigation after ACO James Russo responded to an anonymous complaint June 21 that a dog was possibly being neglected at their address at 541 South St.

He could smell that the dog had an untreated infection when he arrived and found the animal surrounded by flies, Capt. Thomas Steck said.

“The collar was too tight because he had grown into and it was never loosened,” Steck said. “When they cut it off, underneath there were maggots eating open sores.”

A veterinarian confirmed that the dog had been neglected and was dehydrated, malnourished and had widespread, visible skin infections, he said.

The dog is expected to recover and is the custody of the New Britain Police Department as the case is adjudicated.

Santana and Andino were each charged by warrant July 17 with animal cruelty.

Both were released after posting $5,000 bonds and are scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court July 31.

(Newbritainherald - July 29, 2014)