A man was arrested after more than 20 dogs were seized on Tuesday from his home in Oxford where officials allege he kept them in “deplorable” conditions.
The animals were seized from a home at 40-4 Little Punkup Road after authorities obtained a search and seizure warrant following a lengthy investigation, according to First Selectman George Temple.
The 22 dogs that were seized suffered from a variety of medical conditions, including flea infestation, vision impairment, poor grooming and skin rashes, Temple said. One dog was pregnant.
All of the animals were examined by a veterinarian. Temple said investigators believe the dogs were kept in “deplorable” conditions and were allowed to inbreed and fight with each other
“We will not permit animal mistreatment in the town of Oxford,” Temple said at a news conference Tuesday.
“People in this town love dogs, and to see something like this is just very hard to be put through,” he continued. “This individual really meant well, but he was overwhelmed.”
The owner of the dogs was identified as 58-year-old John Artese, according to authorities. He has been charged with animal cruelty.
According to Oxford Animal Control Officer Adrienne Croce, she had been working with Artese to take better care of the dogs for “a while,” but he “just got to the point where he was way in over his head.”
“He couldn’t catch up to where he needed to be so he needed intervention,” Croce said at the news briefing.
“This is one of the worst ones I’ve seen, from my experience anyways,” Croce said.
“It’s heartbreaking that people want to do right by the animals, but sometimes when you mean well and what you can actually do are two different things.” Croce said. “There’s more than just giving them a home. You have to take care of them.”
Artese is free from custody and is scheduled to face a judge on June 30.
According to Croce, authorities won’t know if the dogs will be put up for adoption until their investigation is complete. She said all of the animals are very sweet and loving and “just want attention.” Some of them have never been on a leash for a walk or outside of the home and its fenced-in yard, Croce said.
The investigation involved the Oxford Police Department, Oxford Animal Control and Connecticut State Police.