Case Details

Illegally butchering animals at home
Hampton Falls, NH (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Apr 3, 2003
County: Rockingham
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Godfrey Rupia

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 2114
Classification: Mutilation/Torture
Animal: sheep, chicken, goat
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A trial date has been set in an appeal brought by a Hampton Falls man who was found guilty last fall of 12 counts of animal cruelty for illegally butchering animals at his home.

Godfrey Rupia, 42, of King Street, is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County Superior Court on April 19 for a jury trial; he is appealing his sentence from Hampton District Court.

In October, Rupia was sentenced to 45 days in jail by Hampton District Court Judge Francis Frasier. He was also ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution to the N.H. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the town of Hampton Falls.

Under an agreement worked out with the court, Rupia was given the option to appeal the sentence directly to Superior Court.

Police discovered what they called an illegal meat-processing operation at Rupia's home when they responded to a call of a loose goat in April 2003. They found 22 chicken carcasses in a crawl space under Rupia's house and numerous goat and sheep carcasses. Five goats and a sheep were taken to the SPCA, and the town brought in a specialized company to clean the property.

Rupia maintained his innocence during his trial last fall, saying he wanted to bring an end to the case.

"I just want to put this behind me. A trial ... would not be in my best interest and only put my family through negative publicity," Rupia said in September. "This is just not worth the embarrassment and the exposure."

Case Updates

A new trial date has been set in an appeal brought by a Hampton Falls man who was found guilty last fall of 12 counts of animal cruelty for illegally butchering animals at his home. Godfrey Rupia, 42, of King Street, is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County Superior Court on Aug. 9 for a jury trial; he is appealing his sentence from Hampton District Court.

The trial was originally scheduled for April 16, but was postponed at the request of Rupia�s attorney.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled at Rockingham County Superior Court on July 30.

Last October, Rupia was sentenced to 45 days in jail by Hampton District Court Judge Francis Frasier. He was also ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution to the N.H. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the town of Hampton Falls.

Under an agreement worked out with the court, Rupia was given the option to appeal the sentence directly to Superior Court.

Rupia was arrested last spring and charged with animal mutilation after police allegedly discovered more than two dozen dead goats and chickens at his home. One charge of animal cruelty was also lodged against Rupia, following the alleged discovery of malnourished animals.

Police responded to Rupia�s home April 3, 2003, after a neighbor complained of a loose goat on his property. Police said they found 22 chicken carcasses in a crawl space under Rupia�s house and numerous goat and sheep carcasses. Five goats and a sheep were taken to the SPCA, and the town brought in a specialized company to clean the property.

The 12 counts of animal cruelty, all Class A misdemeanors, carried a maximum fine of $2,000 and/or two years in jail on each count.

Rupia maintained his innocence during his trial last fall, saying he wanted to bring an end to the case.
Source: Sea Coast Online - July 13, 2004
Update posted on Sep 2, 2004 - 10:57AM 

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References

Exeter News-Letter
The Hampton Union

« NH State Animal Cruelty Map

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