Police: Animal control monitoring dog at Fairfield home
FAIRFIELD — Animal control officers are monitoring the health of a dog after police say they received complaints about the pet living outside on a property.
Police said they launched an investigation after concerns were raised about the dog’s welfare being outside and potentially exposed to the elements.
Police said an animal control officer went to the home on Sunday after receiving an anonymous complaint about the dog being tied to a tree by a wire in a wooded area.
Police said the area where the dog is kept is divided into three sections: a wooded area where a tether is set up and the dog is contained for a few hours during the day, a trampoline and play area where the dog is tied to a tether for a few hours and a covered deck where the doghouse and crate are kept and covered with tarps.
The animal control officer noted there were two dog bowls near the crates — one filled with water, the other filled with dry food. The officer found no violations of state law, but expressed concerns to the dog owner regarding the upcoming winter months and asked about their plan for the colder weather.
The animal control officer returned to the property on Monday with the police department’s K-9 sergeant. The dog was found to be healthy and roaming freely inside the fenced area at the property, police said. There were two doghouses seen this day — one described as a double-wide doghouse with padding and a blanket and the other described as a large wire dog crate with blankets inside, police said. Each crate was under a waterproof tarp that covered three sides of the crates, police said. The enclosures were found under a deck.
The animal control officer found that the clip on the tether in the yard had a swivel on it, which is required by state law. The officer told the owner about the expected nor’easter on Tuesday and offered to keep the dog at the shelter for a few days, but the owner declined the offer, police said.
Police said the dog appeared healthy, was licensed and given adequate shelter. The officer and sergeant found no violation of animal control laws, police said.
On Tuesday, during the storm that brought rain and wind across the region, officers checked on the dog and found it in the enclosure under the deck, covered from the elements, police said. A special services lieutenant called the dog’s owner that day to discuss the ongoing investigation.
“She was very cooperative and understanding of our need for follow up and investigation,” police said. “She added that she loves her dog very much. The owner was very concerned about how the complaints were coming in, the potential harassment people may be causing her, along with the possibility of people trespassing on her property.”
Police said the animal control officer plans to check on the dog again next week. Police said the owner intends to purchase a heated doghouse.
The animal control officer said he found no probable cause for arrest or seizure of the animal based on the conditions he witnessed.
“At this time, lacking any probable cause for arrest or any reasonable cause to believe that the animal is in any imminent harm, neglected, or is cruelly treated, the investigation will continue as a follow-up basis by (animal control) at times arranged by (animal control) and the dog owner,” police said.