SPCA Questions Bridgeport Animal Shelter Policy

A Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals activist is dogging the animal shelter in Bridgeport, because she says a shelter officer turned away an injured stray.

"They're supposed to take a stray dog," said Susan Fernandez, "and they refused to take the dog."

She named the dog “Denied” and took it to Beaver Brook Animal Hospital in Wethersfield.

Bridgeport police called the SPCA's account of what happened a "sad attempt to distort the truth."

"The dog in question was brought into the Bridgeport Animal Shelter by a female who identified herself as the dog's owner.  She then stated that the dog had been injured when it was hit by a car," said Bill Kaempffer, a spokesperson for Bridgeport Police.

"The law requires stray or roaming animals to be taken in by animal shelters.  And, since the woman identified herself as the dog's owner -- wanting the city only to pay for veterinary care -- she was provided with a list of local vets and rescue groups that could help her receive the services she needed as a pet owner," he said.

The dog had a seven screws and a titanium plate put into her left hind leg five days ago.

"She's recovering very well, doing a little physical therapy now to stretch the leg," said Dr. Howard Asher, one of the veterinarians at Beaver Brook.

Her bill there is up to $1,600, including four weeks of boarding.  After that time, she'll be free to be adopted, if she continues to heal.

Contact Us