Man Charged with leaving dogs, cat to die in house

[Rene Allegrini]

New Milford man allegedly left animals to die in dirty home

"The Waterbury Connecticut Republican American Newspaper"

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

BY BRIGITTE RUTHMAN


LITCHFIELD -- Michael Tobin faces one year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of cruelty to animals for allowing at least one dog to die in his filthy New Milford home.

Tobin, 38, who now lives in Danbury, is accused of leaving two dogs and a cat alone in the home at 485 West Meetinghouse Road in New Milford. When a neighbor noticed the dogs stopped barking in March, authorities were summoned. One dog was found dead inside. The other may have died earlier, its carcass stuffed in a bag on the property.

The grisly discoveries drew attention from the Norfolk, Va.-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that wants Tobin to under psychiatric intervention and mandatory counseling.

They want him barred from ever having contact with animals again.

Tobin has been given time to hire an attorney and he is free on $2,500 and a promise to appear in Litchfield's Bantam Court July 19.


Police and the state Department of Agriculture were alerted March 27 to investigate the home, which was being foreclosed by Wells Fargo Bank. Tobin, who bought the property for $230,000 in 2004, hadn't been seen by neighbors in weeks.

When police looked through the windows, they noticed that the house was in disarray. A dog lying on the floor wasn't moving.

When they entered the home, they found a thin rottweiler dog dead on a concrete, feces-coated floor and an overwhelming odor caused by urine and fecal matter. An autopsy confirmed the dog died of starvation, the June 6 arrest warrant for animal cruelty said.

"It appeared the dog had starved to death," the document said. "It appeared to have tried to claw it's way out of the room."

An emaciated cat was found alive in the home.

Tobin's other dog, an Akita, disappeared. A neighbor's dog dragged the remains of a dog's leg out of a bag on Tobin's property. The neighbor contacted Regional Animal Control Officer Audrey McKay.

No charges have been filed in connection with the second dog, which remains the subject of an investigation.

Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia Palermo said Tobin has been given time to hire an attorney. "We are in the fact-gathering phase. I need to find out why he wasn't there."

PETA Researcher Dan Paden said the case is particularly vile.

"To have allegedly denied these animals food and allowed them to slowly waste away and suffer is horrifically cruel." Paden said. "Too often, people who are convicted of crimes against animals walk out of court with a slap on the wrist."

[Jopet]

Ohhh that makes me so angry!!!

[spoiledbabies3]

This type of crap infuriates me!!!!!! How can someone do this?!?! They either need stronger laws (which won't happen overnight) or let me ALONE in the room with him for JUST A FEW MINUTES. He will never be the same man again...I guarantee it!...Sorry guys, just need to vent. This kind of stuff is happening way to often and too many animals are dying as a result. Just give up the animal for goodness sake...starving to death is one of the most cruel types of punishment there can be....

[Rhea's Mom]

$1,000 fine and (possibly) a year in jail - that doesn't seem fair, indeed, it's just a slap on the wrist... Makes me so angry and sick to my stomach at the same time when reading these things...

[Rene Allegrini]

Originally Posted by spoiledbabies3

This kind of stuff is happening way to often and too many animals are dying as a result. Just give up the animal for goodness sake...starving to death is one of the most cruel types of punishment there can be....

Someone took the time to stuff another dog; apparently the missing Akita, in a bag and leave it on the property. Why wouldn't they remove the dog from the house rather than let it die of starvation?

The barking dog in the house had to be annoying to the neighbors. How long had he STOPPED barking before anyone decided to investigate? This whole thing is sickening.

[spoiledbabies3]

Originally Posted by Rene Allegrini

The barking dog in the house had to be annoying to the neighbors. How long had he STOPPED barking before anyone decided to investigate? This whole thing is sickening.

Exactly what I was thinking...why wouldn't they call the authorities or a rescue group "while the dog was barking" instead of waiting until "after it stopped". What were the neighbors thinking? They KNEW they hadn't seen anyone come or go for "how long". This really shows how far people will go to "turn their heads the other way so as NOT to cause any type of confrontation". RIDICULOUS!

[onthedl74]

I bet the owner never missed a meal!

[tilly]

after reading this, i am thoroughly depressed
some people only look civilized, underneath the thin layer of polish, they are true barbarians

[SaranBear]

I think the neighbors should have a little blame in this. Too many people think it's not their affair. They don't want to "get involved", or be the bad guy. Sorry but when I see something that disturbs me I call the proper authorities. If there iss no issue it will be a mild annoyance to those involved, and I will have peace of mind.

I live in the city so I have alot of neighbors that don't care about their dogs. There are at least 2 dogs that no longer live on our block. Even if they had to PTS they are still better off than living where they were living.I can't tell you how many times I have called animal control on my neighbors for having half starved dogs that looked like they had mange. AC did eventually take their dog and I have to say that wherever coco is she is happier than she was in that home.

So it's not that hard to make a phone call. This whole story is just so so sad and disturbing.