Residents press Cheshire council for independent probe after alleged neglect at animal control facility

Dozens of residents and animal-welfare advocates urged the Town of Cheshire Town Council on Feb. 11 to press for accountability after alleging prolonged neglect and record-keeping failures at the municipal animal control facility. Speakers pointed to veterinary records, photographs, FOIA documents and whistleblower statements that they said show delayed care, missing paperwork and financial irregularities; two dogs were described as having died while in town custody.

Why it matters: The speakers said the events involve a municipal employee entrusted with animals seized as part of an abuse case on Oct. 6, 2022. Council members told the room the town has engaged a third-party investigator and that public discussion while litigation and personnel matters are active could harm the town’s interests.

Advocates and residents described a pattern of problems. “The dogs were entrusted to the care of ACL Lealer and the Town of Cheshire on 10/06/2022,” said Robin Zilla Canamella, identifying herself as the cofounder and president of Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates. She said she had shared inspection reports and photographs with state agencies and the council. Linda Pliva,…