Case Details

Injured cat drowned
Bristol, CT (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Mar 31, 2007
County: Hartford
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Charges: Misdemeanor

Abuser/Suspect: Norman Fortier, Jr

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Case ID: 11326
Classification: Drowning
Animal: cat
View more cases in CT (US)
Animal was offleash or loose
Suspect was in animal welfare field
Login to Watch this Case

A Bristol animal control officer left an injured cat to die in an outdoor pen at the city pound and later drowned it, according to a fellow officer who witnessed the killing.

Norman Fortier, the city's assistant animal control officer for the past seven years, resigned rather than face a disciplinary hearing last week, according to Police Chief John DiVenere. Fortier may face criminal charges.

Craig Tole, an animal control officer for the town of Plymouth - which rents space at the Bristol pound - said Tuesday he was feeding the dogs in his care about 12:30 p.m. on March 31, a Saturday, when he came upon an injured cat in an outside pen.

The cat had apparently been hit by a car and was in bad shape, said Tole. He said it was breathing heavily and bleeding a little from the face. It wasn't moving, he said.

Tole said he didn't know if it had been left out by an animal control officer or tossed by someone over the fence surrounding the pen.

Knowing that injured animals are supposed to be taken to the veterinarian, Tole called his stepfather, Mike Suchinski, another Plymouth animal control officer, and told him about the injured cat.

Suchinski, who also works at the Bristol Police Department, said he told Tole to phone the police to get the animal control officer.

After he made the call, Tole said, Fortier soon showed up.

Fortier, who declined to comment Tuesday, told Tole he didn't take the cat to the vet because it would have died before it got there, Tole said.

"He told me he didn't think it'd make it to the vet in time," said Tole, so Fortier left it in the outside pen to die.

It was at that point that Fortier killed the cat, using a dogcatcher's tool, according to Tole.

"He got a bucket of water. He used a snare to drown it," said Tole.

Stunned, Tole said he watched for a moment as Fortier put the snare around the cat's legs before leaving for another call.

"Once he put it in the bucket, I left," said Tole.

Tole said it would have taken only about 10 minutes to take the cat to the vet. If the cat had to die, having a vet euthanize it would have been a better "so it's not being tortured," Tole said.

Tole said he has pets of his own and didn't like what he saw Fortier do.

"I didn't think it was right," said Tole. He said he didn't often work with Fortier but had never seen such a thing before.

"Norm's a pretty nice guy," Tole said, but added, "He shouldn't be doing stuff like that. It was pretty upsetting."

Later, Suchinski said, he discussed the cat with Brian Skinner, another Bristol animal control officer, and the two of them reported it to the lieutenant on duty. Skinner could not be reached Tuesday.

Suchinski said he didn't even know about the drowning at that point. When he found out, he didn't like what he heard.

"I was a little angry," said Suchinski. "You just don't do that."

The law is clear on what must be done with an injured cat or dog, according to Suchinski and DiVenere.

"The statute says he has to take it to the vet," said Suchinski, and let the veterinarian decide whether the animal should be euthanized.

The only time any animal control officer is allowed to destroy an animal, said both DiVenere and Suchinski, is if it is a wild animal that appears to be sick or rabid.

"Then you're allowed to euthanize," said Suchinski. "You have to shoot them."

The chief said that Fortier admitted drowning the cat because it was "badly injured" by a car. He called the cat's wounds a "mitigating circumstance" that will have to be considered in deciding whether to bring criminal charges.

The chief said that he thinks that if a criminal warrant is issued citing Fortier, it will happen this week. He said the facts are not in dispute. The only issue is whether Fortier broke the law.

The cat's owner could not be identified, DiVenere said.

Bristol city Councilor Mike Rimcoski said that if it's true, an incident like this could "cast a shadow" over the "good name of the people of the city of Bristol."

Rimcoski, who said he'd reserve further comment until the police conclude their investigation, said, "I'm extremely disturbed by the reports I've gotten."

Fortier's resignation takes effect May 1, according to the city's personnel office. But DiVenere said that Fortier, who worked full-time, has already turned in his equipment and ceased working for the city.

Fortier is also one of the city's six elected constables. He has long been active in the city's Democratic Party.

Fortier worked an 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift, Tuesdays to Saturdays, at the Bristol Animal Control Shelter on Vincent P. Kelley Road. For the time being, an animal control officer is only available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the pound closes.

Case Updates

The city's former animal control officer pleaded guilty this morning to a charge of animal cruelty for deliberately drowning a badly injured cat he'd found.

Superior Court Judge Joseph Doherty gave Norman Fortier Jr. a 6-month sentence that was suspended and ordered him to serve 18 months' probation. As part of a plea bargain, Fortier also must perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $500 fine along with court costs.

Fortier gave no explanation of his actions and declined to say anything when Doherty asked if he wanted to address the court.

Prosecutor Steven Preleski said the drowning might have been "a misguided attempt" at sparing the cat additional pain, but said Fortier had to be punished. Doherty agree that Fortier's intentions might have been good, but said he violated police department policies for not taking the cat to a veterinarian.

"You made a judgment that should have been made by someone else," Donerty told Fortier. "It's a very upsetting scenario."

Fortier found the cat, bleeding and limp, on March 31 after several people called police to say an animal was injured � possibly after being hit by a car - on West Street. Fortier took the animal to the city's pound and then left to handle other calls. About an hour and a half later, a dog warden from Plymouth stopped at the pound and found the cat bleeding but breathing, and notified police. A dispatcher directed Fortier to return to the pound, and the Plymouth animal control officer watched as Fortier put an animal snare around the cat and drowned it in a bucket of water.

Police began an internal investigation, but Fortier resigned shortly before the start of a disciplinary hearing.

During his probation, Fortier is barred from working in any job that entails caring for animals, Doherty said.
Source: Hartford Courant - June 21, 2007
Update posted on Jun 21, 2007 - 4:51PM 
The former animal control officer accused of deliberately drowning an injured cat didn't show up in court today, but a supporter and a detractor still got into a loud argument outside the courthouse about him.

Norman Fortier Jr. was to be arraigned on two charges of animal cruelty, but his case was postponed until June 21.

Outside the courthouse, Dave Breau staged a one-man demonstration on behalf of his friend, holding a sign proclaiming that Fortier is not guilty and deserves his job back. Breau's car was decorated with more signs declaring "Officer Fortier � not guilty."

That message drew scorn from Susan Paris, who described herself as a city resident who loves animals.

"He was following an order," Breau told her.

"The order doesn't say you throw a noose around a cat's neck and drown it in a bucket," she replied. "I'm very, very surprised at you."

Breau insisted that he has nothing against animals, and told Paris he's very compassionate.

"Obviously not if you're going to defend someone who kills animals," she shot back.

Breau later said he showed up on Fortier's behalf because Fortier frequently helped him find homes for abandoned pit bulls. He said Fortier was following orders from a superior when he drowned the cat. Breau acknowledged that he didn't know if the order was specifically to kill that animal at the pound or take it to a veterinarian to be euthanized.

Fortier apparently found the animal on the side of the road on March 31, evidently suffering from injuries after it was hit by a car. He took it to the city's animal pound and then left to answer a call, according to police. An animal control officer from Plymouth, which uses space at Bristol's pound, arrived and found the cat bleeding on the floor. Police were notified, and a dispatcher directed Fortier to return to the pound. According to investigators, Fortier then drowned the cat in a bucket of water.

After the Plymouth officer reported what he'd witnessed, city police began an internal investigation. They say Fortier told them that he thought the cat wouldn't live long enough to reach a veterinarian and decided to kill it himself. Fortier, 54, resigned shortly before a disciplinary hearing was to begin.
Source: The Hartford Courant - May 14, 2007
Update posted on May 16, 2007 - 1:22PM 
Norman Fortier Jr., who quit as assistant dog warden following a complaint that he had drowned a cat at the dog pound, was charged Thursday with two counts of cruelty to animals.

Fortier faces one charge for apparently leaving the badly injured feline to die at the dog pound, and a second charge for drowning the cat in a bucket after another dog warden had discovered the animal and complained.

Fortier, 54, turned himself in at police headquarters Thursday after learning that a warrant had been issued in the case. He was released on a promise to appear in Superior Court on May 14. His phone went unanswered Thursday night.

Police officials have said that Fortier's actions violated department policies, and Mayor William Stortz publicly apologized last month for Fortier's actions.

Police began an internal investigation after an animal control officer from Plymouth reported seeing Fortier deliberately drown the cat on March 31. Chief John DiVenere said Fortier told investigators that he killed the animal because he thought it was so badly injured that it would not have survived a trip to a veterinarian.

Police said Fortier found the injured animal during his work shift on March 31 and concluded that it had been hit by a car. He took the cat to the animal pound on Vincent P. Kelly Road, and apparently drove away to handle a call, police said.

An animal control officer from Plymouth, which uses Bristol's pound, discovered the animal. It's unclear how long the cat had been left bleeding and semiconscious at the pound. Police were notified, and a dispatcher sent Fortier to the pound. When Fortier arrived, he drowned the cat in a bucket of water, according to the Plymouth officer.

Police commanders put Fortier on administrative leave, and he submitted his resignation just before the start of a disciplinary hearing, according to DiVenere.

Fortier had held the full-time job for seven years and was paid about $38,000 a year.
Source: Hartford Courant - May 4, 2007
Update posted on May 5, 2007 - 6:28AM 
The Bristol animal control officer who resigned after a fellow officer reported that he drowned a cat could face animal cruelty charges, according to the president of the Connecticut Humane Society.

"If it is true, it would be an improper and unlawful act by the animal control officer," said president Richard Johnston.

Ordinarily, injured animals should be examined by a veterinarian, who should then determine whether euthanasia is warranted, according to Johnston, who also oversees the Fox Memorial Clinic, which is owned by the Humane Society.

Plymouth animal control officer Craig Tole said he witnessed Bristol animal control officer Norman Fortier drown an injured cat at the Bristol pound last month.

According to Johnston, that's against state law.

"It could be prosecuted as animal cruelty," said Johnston.

Drowning animals is a practice that used to take place years ago, said Johnston.

"It was awful then and it's awful now," said Johnston, who said the Humane Society has investigated cases of pet owners drowning their animals. "It's never been a good practice."

In Connecticut, most euthanasia is by lethal injection, according to Johnston.

"It's a painless death," said Johnston.

But it belongs in the hands of the doctors who care for animals, according to Johnston.

Though the Humane Society has the authority to euthanize animals, Johnston said they leave it to vets.

"I am a strong supporter of veterinarians doing it," said Johnston. "It's a medical procedure."

Vets can sedate an animal before administering a lethal injection, said Johnston, "so there is comfort, compassion and the dignity that's deserved when ending a life, because it's never easy."

Johnston said Connecticut animal control officers can call on the Humane Society if they need assistance with euthanasia.

"We would help them if they're in a tough spot," said Johnston.

While there are times when euthanasia is appropriate for animals, Johnston said there is "certainly no need to drown one."
Source: Bristol Press - April 24, 2007
Update posted on Apr 27, 2007 - 3:21AM 

Neighborhood Map

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.

Back to Top

Add this case to:   Del.icio.us | Digg | Furl Furl |

References

The Bristol Press - April 24, 2007

« CT State Animal Cruelty Map

Add to GoogleNot sure what these icons mean? Click here.

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.



Send this page to a friend
© Copyright 2001-2007 Pet-Abuse.Com. All rights reserved. Site Map ¤ Disclaimer ¤ Privacy Policy