Oxford Woman Pleads Not Guilty to 41 Counts of Animal Cruelty

An Oxford woman charged with 41 counts of cruelty to animals pleaded not guilty on Monday. 

Karen Desrosiers, 46, was arrested two months after officials seized malnourished animals from her property.

Officials began investigating when the Oxford Animal Control received a complaint about a roaming animal on Feb. 20, according to state police.

Desrosiers turned herself in to state police after learning there was warrant for her arrest, according to a news release from state police.

A search warrant issued for the property in February said horses and donkeys had badly overgrown hooves and skin conditions and no water. No hay and little animal feed was seen on the property, which was littered with construction equipment and old cars, according to state police, and one horse appeared to have wounds and injuries, though officials could not determine how they occurred.

Four dogs, a cat, a horse, a donkey and a pig were seized from Desrosiers’ home in February.

Police said the animals, including two miniature horses, a goat and 18 chickens, were kept in cages and corrals around the property.

Attorney Philip Fazzone told the Connecticut Post that Desrosiers had good intentions, but could not physically or financially care for the animals.

She was released Monday on a $5,000 bond and is due back in court on June 7.

Officials from the state Department of Agriculture said Santana, the large horse, is still recouping and has a very long road ahead.

Several other animals are OK and have been placed into homes.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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