DERBY, Conn. — The owners of a young German Shepherd were arrested after the dog was found injured with gunshot wounds in Derby.
Police received a call from the dog owner at 2 a.m. on Friday reporting an injured German Shepherd at Coon Hollow Park.
The dog named Thunda was alert and standing up, but bleeding significantly and could not walk when officers arrived. Ten shell casings were found at the scene and a trail of blood led to where he sat. Police said the dog sustained at least two gunshot wounds; one that shattered his front leg and another that was embedded in his shoulder. The dog was rushed to Shoreline VCA where doctors performed lifesaving procedures.
"When you have firearms in your car being homeless - that takes it to a whole other level. That's unacceptable," said Zilla Cannamela, president of Desmond's Army, a local animal advocacy organization.
Animal Control stated that the dog's surgery had no complications and they are working towards placing him in foster care.
"They could offer no explanation as to where the dog was or why the dog wasn't there. Several firearms were located in the vehicle consistent with the caliber that were found at the scene," Lt. Justin Stanko, Derby Police Dept. said.
Lt. Stanko said the incident has gotten support from people out of state.
"The outpouring of support on social media, people wanting to offer rewards for the arrested conviction and to pay this dog's medical bills because there were some issue with that, was overwhelming, more so than sometimes we think than if it was a human being," Lt. Stanko said.
The owners were identified as Stranja Perrin, 28, and Anthony Singletary, 27.
Perrin was charged with Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Conspiracy to Commit Cruelty to Animals, Conspiracy to Commit Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, and two counts of Risk of Injury. Perrin is held on a $100,000 bond and was given a court date of April 7, 2022.
Singletary was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Conspiracy to Commit Cruelty to Animals, Conspiracy to Commit Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, and two counts of Risk of Injury. He is held on a $150,000 bond and given a court date of April 7, 2022.
Singletary was in the vehicle along with Perrin’s two minor children. An investigation from multiple sources revealed that Perrin and Singletary were recently homeless, living out of the vehicle, and were in possession of a male German shepherd matching the injured dog’s description. They both denied owning the dog.
Video surveillance showed Perrin's vehicle arrived in the area of the park over 1 hour before reporting the injured dog. Ten 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene. Perrin was legally licensed to carry a firearm and was later found to be in possession of two 9mm handguns. The ammunition was consistent with the casings recovered at the scene.
Neither have prior animal cruelty charges.
"We need to give them a sentence and we can then suspend it so that we have a record of what that person did," Former State Representative Diana Urban said.
Singletary is a convicted felon with multiple convictions in Ocean County, NJ on simple assault, aggravated assault, and receiving stolen goods.
The German Shepherd is believed to be between 8 months and 2 years old.
Desmond's Army is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading up to an arrest in connection to the dog's injuries.
While animal advocates have reached out to Derby police about offering reward money, police encourage the public to instead donate funds to assist with surgery and medical costs for the dog. Donations can be made to Shelton Animal Control at (203) 924-2501.
A GoFundMe has been made on behalf of the staff of the Shelton Animal Shelter, and donations can be made there as well.
Leah Myers is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at lmyers@fox61.com
Jareliz Diaz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jdiaz@fox61.com
Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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