Stratford Couple Arrested on Dog Violations

A couple who allegedly lied about a dog they tried to drop off at the Stratford Animal Shelter were arrested last week by a town animal control officer.

According to a police report, the couple, Michael A. Rivera, 38, and Susan K. Cologgi, 41, of 130 Fernwood Drive, Stratford, brought two female dogs, a black Labrador and a black and white Lhasa Apso, to the animal shelter on Aug. 11 and reportedly said they found them roaming on Nichols Avenue.

Neither of the dogs had license tags, but Animal Control Officer Sterrett Pixley discovered that the Lhasa had an identification chip under its fur, the report said. The computer chip said it was owned by Cologgi, a former Florida resident, the report added.

Cologgi initially was not able to provide rabies vaccination papers, although the report said she later provided them.

She and Rivera admitted that they lied because Cologgi is unable to care for her dog anymore, the report said. However, they continued to reportedly say that the Labrador was a stray.

Both were charged with obstruction of an animal control officer.

Cologgi was also charged with importation of a dog without health certificate, failure to have a rabies vaccination for a dog and failure to license a dog.

Click here to read about a new pet importation law which will go into effect Oct. 1.

The couple was released on written promises to appear in court on Aug. 24.

Questions about this police report may be directed to jason.bagley@patch.com.