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Case #1350 Rating: 2.2 out of 5
Veterinary technician neglecting dogs
Atco, NJ (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003
County: Camden
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 3 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Melanie Della Sala
(Jan. 28, 2003 to Feb. 19, 2003, Investigating officer: Dr. John Micklewright)
The Wagners left their two Great Danes, Matisse and Bentley, in the care of a trusted pet sitter while they vacationed for three weeks in February. Most post-vacation reunions with family pets are full of excitement and licked faces, but Caryl and Michael Wagner were sadly disappointed to find that 8-year-old Bentley passed away in their absence and Matisse, who suffers from a congenital defect and requires special attention, was emaciated.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Agent Dr. John Mickelwright said charges were filed against the pet sitter, Melanie Della Sala, because she allegedly failed to provide sustenance and care to the dogs.
She pleaded guilty to those charges in Waterford Municipal Court Thursday with the plea bargain of surrendering her pet-sitting business for five years and paying a $250 fine. She may, however, be hired to work as a veterinarian technician.
Sala, the Wagner's pet sitter for the past four years, said the dogs' death and illness were a "freak thing" and that she didn't understand why it happened.
"I didn't abuse her dogs," Sala said. "I didn't leave the house and I stayed with them."
Sala, who had previously worked for the Wagners' veterinarian, said she went to school to be a veterinarian technician and has been working as one for 15 years. She has several pets of her own, including dogs and a horse.
Sala said Bentley, the 8-year-old female Great Dane, had a seizure in the middle of the night during the stay and died in her sleep. She explained that Matisse, the 3-year-old female Great Dane, often loses weight when her owners leave, but that she did eat regularly during her stay in February.
When asked why she pleaded guilty to the charges, Sala said if the case went to trial she would not be able to afford the attorneys fees.
"It's not unusual for a Great Dane to die at that age (8 years old) but she (Bentley) was healthy when we left her," Caryl said, adding that both dogs had lacerations on their faces.
"The day before we went away she (Matisse) weighed in at 60 pounds and when we came home she was a walking skeleton," Caryl said, adding that the veterinarian told her that Matisse had not been fed in at least two weeks.
"I don't know how that dog survived without food and water," she said.
Matisse is doing well, but Caryl can't stand the stares she gets from neighbors when she walks the sickly dog. She has been reported to animal control because Matisse is skin and bones. Caryl said she understands their concern, but they don't realize what the dog has been through.
Caryl said another one of their dogs died in Sala's care two years ago, but she said they didn't think anything was unusual because that dog was 14 years old.
"She is the one who solicited us as a trained vet tech and said she knows what to do," Caryl said. "It all made sense. We thought we were doing these animals a great favor ... I seem to think you're almost better off now going to a kennel." References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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