Pit bull beaten, dies
Westport, MA (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Dec 17, 2011
County: Bristol

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Patrick McConnell

A Westport man is charged with animal abuse for allegedly beating his friend's pit bull.

The dog suffered blunt force trauma to its teeth and later died after undergoing surgery at a local veterinary hospital, police said.

Westport police officers arrested Patrick McConnell, 23, after executing a search warrant Saturday at his house at 29 Johnson St.

McConnell, who is charged with felony animal cruelty, had been watching a friend's two-year old female pit bull, named Mya, for approximately five weeks when the dog's health suddenly began to deteriorate, police said.

Earlier this month, the dog's owner had been contacted by other mutual friends, who reported that Mya was being beaten and appeared dehydrated.

Mya's owner retrieved the dog, and brought her to the local veterinary hospital, where a doctor reported that Mya had suffered blunt force trauma and sustained numerous cuts to her body that were infected, police said.

The dog owner's had recently moved and was unable to bring the dog with him to a new apartment.

McConnell was arraigned Monday in Fall River District court. The case was investigated by Westport Police Officer Scott Davis.

References

• « MA State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Bristol County, MA

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