Massachusetts: David Saccone says he took his emaciated Australian Shepherd to the vet as instructed by animal control, but was still charged with animal cruelty

MASSACHUSETT -- When the animal control officer expressed concern about his dog's weight, a local man thought promising to take the dog to the vet would solve the problem.

Instead, the man has been charged with animal cruelty.

David Saccone was charged last month with two counts of felony animal cruelty by the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for "failing to provide adequate sustenance" for the dog, and "failing to provide veterinary care as slow starvation caused multiple additional medical issues" for the dog.

Saccone, who lives on Henning Drive in Whitman, wrote to the Enterprise via email about the case.

He said in the Dec. 20 email that he was "sick and worried beyond belief" after learning he had been charged with animal cruelty.

Charges were filed in late November by MSPCA Officer Chelsea Weiand.

Saccone's arraignment was originally scheduled for Dec. 23, but was continued to Feb. 15.

In late November, Saccone wrote in the email, a Whitman animal control officer came to his house based on a report from someone concerned Saccone's dog, an Australian Shepherd, was too thin.

Saccone said he agreed that the dog was too thin, and told the animal control officer he planned to take the dog to a veterinarian to ask about his weight.

"Despite my expressed intent to take the dog to the vet, we seemingly did not part on good terms," he wrote.

Later that day, Saccone said the animal control officer returned with representatives from MSPCA law enforcement, who were also concerned about his dog's weight and nutrition.

Saccone said he had recently changed the dog's diet and the new diet was "wrong," but the dog was "otherwise perfectly healthy."

What does that mean? The dog's diet was 'wrong'? Either you're feeding him dog food or you're not. 

Following the visit from the MSPCA, Saccone brought the dog to the vet twice, he said.

When a woman from the MSPCA called weeks later, Saccone said he "relayed that the dog was fine and on a vet-suggested diet."

Saccone said in the Dec. 20 email that he felt harassed by local officials, and was shocked by the animal cruelty charges.

He could not be reached for comment by phone or at his home on Thursday.

(Wicked Local - Dec 29, 2016)