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Resident urges Winchester leaders to rehouse dogs seized in cruelty case, alleges court‑order violations
Summary
At the Dec. 15 Board of Selectmen meeting, Carrie Taylor urged town officials to remove four dogs in town custody from fosters she says remain connected to the accused in an ongoing animal‑cruelty case, alleging actions that could violate a court agreement and calling for immediate rehousing.
Carrie Taylor of Sadler Heights told the Winchester Board of Selectmen on Dec. 15 that four dogs seized earlier this year remain in foster placements she says are connected to the person charged in the cruelty case and therefore in violation of a court order.
Taylor said the court had expressly barred the accused from control of the seized animals and that an agreement approved by the court gave the Simon Foundation an exclusive window to find foster homes until July 1. She said police reports indicate that, before that date, associates of the accused and counsel for the accused were involved with at least some of the foster placements. Taylor said that, according to the police report, a town official and an animal‑control contact advised the foundation to place dogs with people recommended by the accused — conduct she characterized as contrary to the court agreement.
"A dog is the only thing that loves you more than itself. These dogs are victims of abuse, and yet the town is making intentional decisions to put them at further risk," Taylor said, calling the alleged conduct "morally and ethically reprehensible" and urging the board to move the animals to fosters unconnected to the accused.
Taylor also said attempts by Norwalk animal‑control officers and Winstead police to perform wellness checks on some fosters were unsuccessful and that the accused’s attorney, identified in the public comment as James Sarasini, told foster contacts not to comply with checks.
The board did not take immediate action on Taylor’s request during the meeting; no direct response from the town attorney or the board is recorded in the public transcript. The comment was made during the public‑comment period, and Taylor asked the board to act "immediately to place these dogs in safe foster unconnected with [the accused]."
Next steps: Taylor’s statement was public comment; the transcript shows no formal motion or vote responding to her request. The board later entered executive session for several land and legal matters; it is not recorded that the animal‑custody matter was discussed in public session following the comment.
