WALLINGFORD, Conn. — It’s been four months since Gabriella Silva’s life was turned upside down when her father, 51-year-old Arnaldo Silva, allegedly killed her dog at his home in Northford. Now, she’s part of a growing movement to get justice for two-year-old Diesel.
Gabriella Silva made her way to New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday, surrounded by other advocates also attending a court appearance for Arnaldo Silva.
“There’s many dogs and animals out there that get abused and you don’t think that it could happen to you, and then when it does you want to do whatever you can to get justice for every animal that gets abused,” Gabriella Silva said. “Even though I know I cannot get Diesel back, I can help every other animal going forward.”
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Since the incident, Gabriella Silva said she’s received lots of support from the community, including the folks with Desmond’s Army, a group of law advocates searching for justice for abused animals.
“It’s been really great to have all these people who were once strangers become a friend and support you. And it makes you want to go on in life and keeps me strong every day to continue what I’m doing,” Gabriella Silva said.
“We are here for support to show here that she’s not alone,” said John Frascatore, a court reporter for Desmond’s Army.
Frascatore and others with Desmond’s Army show up to court cases like this one multiple times a week to advocate for the victims and fight for accountability.
“We are making progress. Not as much as we’d like to make. But we are making progress in that area,” Frascatore said.
That fact is something Gabriella Silva in her journey for justice has had to face.
“I realized how much, how many groups and advocates and people are there for animals. It’s insane and I never realized that before. And how, like, this is like a crisis going on,” Gabriella Silva said.
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But in this crisis, she’s finding hope in the form of a new dog she adopted about a month ago, 7-year-old Meatball.
“Oh my god I love him,” Gabriella Silva said, as her face lit up with joy.
Meatball was left abandoned in Prospect and was picked up by Cheshire Animal Control. Now, he’s comforting his new owner during a difficult time.
“Your heart gets filled a little more. Because you know, he’s healing a heart that he didn’t break and I’m glad that I was able to save him and he’s also saving me,” Gabriella Silva said.
As for Arnaldo Silva, he has been offered a plea deal. His next court date is April 29. He’s been charged with cruelty to animals and threatening in the second degree.
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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