Wolcott Police Charge Waterbury Man After Alleged Animal Cruelty

Wolcott Police have announced the arrest of a Waterbury man this morning after a reported disturbing incident involving the illegal sale of underage puppies, and the abandonment of the puppies mother.

According to the Wolcott Police Department, on April 16, 2024, the department received calls regarding an abandoned dog on the side of a road in town, During the investigation, it was discovered that the dog had recently given birth. Wolcott Police allege that Waterbury resident Jose Solivan dumped the mother, since identified as Mia, on the side of the road, and then allegedly sold 7 of Mia's puppies that were too young to be removed from a mother's care.

In the State of Connecticut, our law is this: No person, firm or corporation shall import or export for the purposes of sale, adoption or transfer or offering for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks unless such dog or cat is transported with its dam and no person, firm or corporation shall sell or offer for adoption or transfer within the state any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks. Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this subsection or bringing any dog or cat into this state from an area under quarantine for rabies shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars.

Wolcott Police allege Solivan violated a condition of release from a previous charge that he would not be in possession of any animals, and Wolcott PD has recovered 5 of the 7 puppies. Solivan turned himself in this morning, and has been charged with Cruelty to Animals, and False Statement, and faces a 25 thousand dollar bond. Solivan will appear in Waterbury Superior Court today.