Owner of Danbury Pet Shop Charged With Animal Cruelty

Richard F. Doyle is accused of failing to care for two dogs and a kitten, causing two of the animals to be euthanized.

A Danbury pet shop owner is facing animal cruelty charges for failing to properly care for at least three animals, leading to the deaths of two, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Richard F. Doyle, 55, of Mahopac, New York, was arrested Monday after a months-long investigation that began in March when the Connecticut Department of Agriculture received animal cruelty complaints from some of Doyle's employees.

Doyle owns the American Breeders pet shop at 128 Federal Road in Danbury, along with two other pet stores in New York, according to the Department of Agriculture.

One employee told investigators Doyle performed eye surgery on a female Mastiff, which he was not licensed to do, causing severe bleeding on the dog's inner eyelid. Department of Agriculture officials said the employee showed them photos that supported her claims.

Another employee told them she was required to administer medications and shots that she was not licensed to give, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Doyle is also accused of failing to give medical attention to at least two animals that were later euthanized, including a critically ill exotic kitten and a sick Shih Tzu puppy that was vomiting, coughing and having diarrhea.

He was charged with three counts of animal cruelty. Doyle was released on a promise to appear and is due in court Aug. 6.

A store manager, Kathy Seton, will also face animal cruelty charges, according to the Department of Agriculture.

An employee who answered the phone at American Breeders said no one was available to comment on the case Wednesday afternoon.

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