Acker Ongoing Animal Cruelty Trial

Michael Griffin is a former animal control officer in Stratford, Conn. His views are his own.

And The Beat Goes On! Fred Acker has pled indigent at his cruelty trial in Bethlehem, Conn., on multiple animal cruelty charges. He has had his criminal trial continued until July as he contends that he cannot afford an attorney.

During his civil trial it was determined that, according to IRS records, he showed an income of $377,000. The word indigent is defined as a poor and needy person. If he is found to be indigent by the court, then he will be entitled to representation by a public defender attorney at no cost.

The cost of boarding and feeding the 63 dogs that were taken into custody by the Bethlehem animal control officer in November 2012 has now become a financial issue to the Town of Bethlehem. This officer was doing her duty as an enforcement officer of the laws of the State of Connecticut. The State should be responsible for the costs.

Fred Acker has been cited in a number of different municipalities. I’m sure the State Animal Control Office in Hartford has a very large file on Acker based on reports from various animal control officers. To date, State Animal Control has kept a very low profile in this case and in my opinion has left a very dedicated animal control officer on her own, dangling in the wind of a very slow moving judicial system.

The Chief Animal Control Officer for the State needs to either get down to Bethlehem and assist or send the cavalry down there. If Acker just walks on these serious charges then the “Buck Stops” on his desk.