Georgia: Dr. Abhay Trivedi, charged with animal cruelty after more than 400 animals - dead and alive - seized

GEORGIA -- Dr. Abhay Trivedi, a DeKalb County cardiologist, was arrested Friday and charged with felony animal cruelty.

Police raided the doctor's home off Echo Trail on July 13, confiscating 337 birds.

Officers found more than 400 birds and eight dogs in the home, which belongs to prominent cardiologist Abhay Trivedi, according to Channel 2 Action News. At least 20 of the birds were dead.

Police said it is one of the worst cases of animal hoarding they have seen.

"When they entered the location, they found well over 200 birds--they described in deplorable conditions, with some of them deceased," said Major Stephen Fore of the DeKalb County Police Department.  "Rooms were just stacked with birds and cages.  I mean, really unsanitary conditions."

“The birds are being relocated and will be cared for pending the outcome of the investigation,” Fore said.

Animal services employees wore scrubs and gently took bird after bird outside, while others kept a record of each bird rescued and its condition.  DeKalb Police said rescuers recovered hundreds of birds and found 25 dead birds inside the home.

"Right now, there's so many birds in that residence that we've utilized all of the cages we have to contain them," explained Maj. Fore.  "Animal services--they have put out a request that anyone that has any large parrot cages that they could donate, they can take them to the Animal Services on Camp Road and donate that to help contain some of these birds."

CRIMINAL CHARGES
Necropsies were conducted over the last month on dozens of dead birds taken from the house.

Police investigators told Channel 2's Liz Artz that the birds died from starvation and dehydration.

Police said Trivedi was a doctor at DeKalb Medical Center.

 

He was granted a signature bond in court Friday and ordered to stay away from animals. Police said more charges are possible.

Artz spoke to some of Trivedi's neighbors.

“He's a very strange man. He needs help," said one neighbor who asked not to be identified.

“I wish there were a way to compel him to vacate the house. I would like to see the health department declare it unfit for human habitation and have it leveled," another neighbor said.

“I hope they use him as an example. You can't do that to animals. No one should be allowed to do that," a neighbor said.

Dry water troughs. Many birds died of dehydration

Cage floors completely covered in fecal matter, old food

Police told Artz that the doctor surrendered the 337 birds and eight dogs the day before he was arrested.

Animal services officials said none of them are ready for adoption. Sources close to the case told Artz that at least 50 bird carcasses were found in varying stages of decomposition inside the house, and some were in piles on the floor.

“Those poor animals living in conditions like that, and no regard for his neighbors. (It's a) health hazard, and the guy needs help. (I) hope he finds it when incarcerated," one neighbor said.

 

Trivedi is an Indian immigrant who attended Maulana Azad Medical School in Delhi, India in the early 1990’s.

Artz asked the neighbor what he though about Trivedi being a cardiologist.

“Bizarre, bizarre ... and he's supposed to be upholding the most sterile conditions in the operating room and he's living in filth with animal waste. I mean, come on, that’s crazy," he said.

DeKalb Medical officials said staff leadership will review the case and make a decision about Trivedi.

Neighbors told Artz that Trivedi has had crews working non-stop at his house picking up trash and trying to clean up. At the time of the seizure, police said the ammonia levels were so high inside the house that it was not safe for humans or animals.

Animal services officials are keeping the 337 birds in an undisclosed location.

The agency said it needs financial help taking care of the birds, and they cannot be adopted out.

There is a GoFundMe page set up if you would like to help.

 

 

 

 

 

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Abhay Trivedi
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 10/01/1972
Birthplace: India
Height: 5'08"
Weight: 170 lbs
Arrest Age: 43
Date of arrest: 08/12/2016
Arresting agency: DeKalb County, Georgia
Total Bond: $5,000
Charge:

• CRUELTY TO ANIMALS-/MISD/- BOND: $5,000

(WSBTV - Aug 12, 2016)

Florida: Anthony Ottaviano, 36, dressed as a K9 handler and tried to gain access to the home of two police officers

FLORIDA -- Cops in Florida have uncovered a man's bizarre plot to impersonate a K9 handler after he was caught trying to gain access to a real police officer's home.

Officials say Anthony Anselmo Ottaviano, 36, was not only dressed in a fake shirt that said 'K9 Handler', but that he dressed up his dog and his car in fake tactical gear in order to disguise himself as a law enforcement officer

However he was then caught  attempting to burglarize the home of two off-duty Palm Bay police officers on Sunday night in his elaborate outfit, Fox 35 reported.

Ottaviano arrived at the house in a White Chevrolet Impala that had strobe lights built in to the dashboard and roof, as well as specialty decals indicating it was a K-9 unit vehicle.

He drove into the driveway of the home with the lights flashing, and got out of his vehicle with his dog, which was wearing a tactical style vest and leash.

It is unclear whether he knew it was the home of two police officers he was trying to get into, however police at the scene said he walked past two marked Palm Bay police cars to get to the front door.

The officers inside did not open the door after Ottaviano refused to formally identify himself, and they called 911.

'They immediately identified themselves as Palm Bay police officers, what's your intent? They looked outside and the guy was dressed in police tactical gear, he had a canine with him,' Lt. Mike Bandish with the Palm Bay police department told WFTV 9.

 

'They were a little bit concerned.'

The officers inside were torn as to whether they were ignoring a real officer or staving off a phony.

When the officer inside the home further questioned Ottaviano, he said he worked for Homeland Security.

Police soon arrived at the house and detained Ottaviano, soon determining he was not a cop.

Ottaviano did not have any weapons on him, but he was arrested for attempted burglary and impersonating an officer during the commission of a felony.

However the incident has puzzled police, who do not know why he was trying to enter the house.

When questioned by investigators, Ottaviano did not give a reason for going to the officer’s home, police said.

 

According to WFTV, Ottaviano is a licensed paramedic with Sunstar Paramedics in Pinellas. He has been suspended from work, pending an investigation.

Ottavian told a judge during court Monday, this was all a misunderstanding.

Ottaviano was given a $20,000 bond by the judge. He remains in the Brevard County jail.

The dog was place in the care of  Ottaviano's roommate.

 

Anyone with information about this or similar crimes involving this suspect is asked to contact the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456 option 1, or the Central Florida CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.

Callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

(Daily Mail - June 22, 2016)

Tennessee: Mississippi doctor Wendy Nethery, 40, accused of leaving puppies to die

TENNESSEE -- A Corinth, Mississippi doctor has been charged with animal cruelty on accusations of leaving nine puppies in plastic totes in the Selmer Wal-Mart parking lot, according to police.

Wendy Nethery, 40, was seen on Wal-Mart security cameras May 3 leaving the puppies by the side of the building, according to a criminal summons.

Nethery must turn herself in by May 24, according to the Selmer Police Department.

Police say Nethery is a podiatrist in Corinth, Miss., and has not yet turned herself in.

According to the McNairy County Humane Society’s Facebook page, the puppies needed medical care when abandoned and one has since died.

(WBBJ - May 13, 2016)