Connecticut: Robert Armstrong, 60, charged with cruelty after his Shih Tzu found emaciated and matted

CONNECTICUT -- A 60-year-old city man has been charged with animal cruelty after his emaciated dog was found on the street last year with bleeding, rotting teeth and a chicken bone lodged in its throat, police said.

Police say Robert Armstrong, of Hanrahan Street, said he let the small white Shih Tzu out and it never returned on April 21, 2015. A passerby found the dog the next day on Hanrahan Street and alerted animal control officers.

Armstrong said on Tuesday the dog had been missing for three or four days before it had been discovered. He said he did not even know the police had a warrant for his arrest until a few nights ago when his son was pulled over in his car in Fairfield. When police told his son there was a warrant out for his father’s arrest, Armstrong said he turned himself in. Armstrong said he diligently cared for the dog while he had it.

“I would never be cruel to a dog,” he said. “I’m the best guy in the world. I’m always doing thing for people and animals.”

Police said the dog was first taken to High Ridge Animal Hospital and then to Cornell Animal Hospital for emergency treatment.

According to the veterinarian, the dog was extremely thin, having lost much of its muscle mass, and had a seriously infected mouth, police said. Many of the dog’s teeth were rotten and bleeding with oral ulcers, police said.

The dog had severe matting of its fur that was irritating and inflaming the skin, police said. The fur was matted with dried feces, caked onto the skin, the affidavit said.

“The degree of the mats along with the dried feces made it appear that the dog had been in this condition for many weeks, and possibly months,” the arrest warrant said.

The dog’s breathing was so labored, it had to be put on oxygen.

Armstrong said he had been taking care of the dog and had neighbors groom the animal. He said he was actively looking for the dog and even left his name at the Stamford Animal Shelter in case they found it.

Armstrong said he was told there was a chicken bone lodged in the dog’s throat and he couldn’t pay the $2,700 vet bill.

Four days after being found, the dog was euthanized, the affidavit said.

Police found the dog’s original owner, who claimed to be Armstrong’s girlfriend of 27 years. The woman said she left the dog with Armstrong when she broke up with him three years earlier.

Armstrong was released after posting a $45,000 court appearance bond. His arraignment is scheduled for May 16.

(Stamford Advocate - May 3, 2016)