RI: 15 dogs rescued from woods

Warwick man facing animal-neglect charges

Warwick man facing animal-neglect charges / Video

By Tatiana Pina
11:13 AM EST on Thursday, December 30, 2010

WARWICK — The police say they plan to charge Clifford Dennis, whose last known address was 66 Potowomut Rd., with 15 counts of not providing adequate shelter to 15 pit bulls found in a field on Monday.

Sgt. Robert Rocco on Wednesday said the police planned to charge him under a 2009 city ordinance that requires animal owners to provide food, drinkable water and adequate shelter.

Though Dennis, 48, showed up at police headquarters on Tuesday, they said they are trying to locate him.

Dennis, 48, also faces 15 counts of having unlicensed dogs and 15 counts of having unvaccinated dogs. Rocco said Dennis failed to provide paperwork proving the dogs were vaccinated for rabies, but Rocco said it is possible he has paperwork for a few of them.

All the charges are misdemeanors. Dennis is scheduled to go to Municipal Court on Jan. 20 at 6 p.m.

A first-time offender found guilty of failing to provide sustenance and adequate shelter for an animal would be fined $100 per animal, according to the police.

The 15 dogs, including four puppies, found in the field will remain at the Warwick Animal Shelter until the case is adjudicated.

On Monday, the police and animal control, working on an anonymous tip received by City Council president Bruce Place, found the dogs spread out over four acres of snow-covered wooded property at 409 Tollgate Rd., anchored by six-foot tow chains. The dogs had small shelters with a little hay inside each, the police said. There was no water or food, according to the police.

Dennis went to police headquarters Tuesday and “caused a scene in the lobby” while speaking with Rocco about the location of the dogs and why they had been taken, according to a police report. At about 3 p.m., according to the report, Dennis called Place, and said Place was responsible for stealing the dogs. Place told the police Dennis made several comments about the condition of his dogs and said he hadn’t broken any laws.

The police listened to a recording of Dennis’ call to Place and said it did not appear threatening. Place did not seek to file a complaint.

Officers used the Tufts Animal Care and Condition scale to determine the condition of the animals. The dogs were found to be in a developing dangerous situation that was potentially life-threatening, according to the police report. Due to the evaluation, the dogs were removed from the property, according to the report.

Rocco said that in March or April Dennis was given a single violation for having more than 3 dogs — he had a total of 18.

“In the past we tried to work with him,” Rocco said. “He gave us a sob story. He used to breed the dogs. Several times he turned in dogs to the shelter. I expected there would be less dogs but instead there were more. When we located the puppies we realized he was still breeding them. He was lying to us.”

Dennis is allowed three dogs but he cannot continue to keep them under the conditions in which they were found, Rocco said. If he wants to have more than three dogs, he would need to apply for a permit from the Board of Public Safety, Rocco said.

Video at news link:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/PITBULLMAN_CHARGES_12-30-10_FALN5KE_v7.26f1e3.html