Investigation Continues in Case of Abandoned Pit Bull Locked in House

Stratford Animal Control officials are reporting this week that the pit bull found recently abandoned at a home at 71 Patterson Street not far from police headquarters is recovering after being left unattended for perhaps weeks.

According to Stratford Animal Control Officer Rachel Solveira, officials cannot comment on the circumstances of the case. She said, "It is still an open case. Everything regarding the case needs to come from the police department ... [but]  I can tell you the dog is in custody and doing well."

A police spokesperson would only confirm that the case was still under investigation.

But according to police reports, Stratford Officer Koval was dispatched recently with Assistant Animal Control Officer Sterrett Pixley for a report of an animal problem at 71 Patterson Ave.

Officers found the residence empty, evidenced by heavy snow banked up against the house and no recent footprints. A dog was heard barking and then was observed in the second floor window, looking out and barking loudly.

A neighbor told police that the former resident had passed away and the home left to a daughter and son. The neighbor stated that the son, tentatively identified by police as Aaron Wombly, sometimes stays at the home but had not been seen in two weeks.

An attempt by police to contact Wombly was unsuccessful.

The neighbor provided a key to the back door and officers requested a supervisor to come to the scene.

Sgt. Wrigley arrived, and used the key and two officers and ACO Pixley entered the residence in an attempt to capture the dog. Officers found the house without electricity or heat and the “interior was littered with garbage, dog feces and urine.”

The upstairs toilet was also leaking, tiles had fallen into the kitchen and officers determined the house was unfit to live in.

Pixley secured the dog, a brown pit bull, without incident. No water was in sight.

Officers reported that the “dog’s stomach appeared to be caved in due to lack of food but did not appear to be emaciated under the circumstances.”

Pixley transported the dog to Snowflake Animal Hospital in Milford.  Police notified the town's zoning board and Health Dept. for a check of the residence.

No other details were available at post time.