Punish Kennel Owner Accused of Subjecting Dog to Extreme Heat

Target: David R. Shannon, State’s Attorney for CT Judicial District of Litchfield

Goal: Seek full penalty against woman accused of endangering dog at her kennel service.

Pet parents often turn to boarding kennels when they must temporarily entrust care of their pets to someone else. They expect loving, protective caretakers who will look after the best needs of their animals while they are away. Yet for too many individuals and pets, this trust is breached, leading to horrible outcomes.

A Connecticut pet parent reportedly faced such a circumstance. The individual left her dog with Home Away From Home kennel care. When she picked up her pet from the service, the dog seemed unwell. A veterinarian who later evaluated the dog apparently found signs of animal cruelty. The dog had allegedly been left in extremely hot conditions for an extended period of time. Kennel owner Jennifer Ornelli was eventually arrested on animal cruelty charges.

Sign the petition below to ensure that in this case and other cases involving professional pet caretakers, animal cruelty is prosecuted to the fullest extent.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear State’s Attorney Shannon,

A decade ago, only one-quarter of animal cruelty cases in Connecticut were fully tried and prosecuted. Desmond’s Law helped change this lax legal approach to animal cruelty. Now, Connecticut has robust legal standards and helped set a precedent for animal advocacy in the courts.

A recent local case involving kennel owner Jennifer Ornelli tests these precedents. Ornelli stands accused of endangering a dog entrusted to her care to the extent that the dog required veterinary treatment. After examining this dog, the veterinarian reportedly recommended that the dog’s owner consider pursuing animal cruelty charges.

History has shown that the legal system ignores animal abuse at its own peril, as offenders are likely to escalate to other crimes. People who offer their services as pet caretakers should face especially rigorous standards and strict legal obligations. Please uphold Connecticut’s strengthened standards and follow through with maximum charges and a maximum penalty if the suspect in the aforementioned case is found guilty.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Johnny MrNinja