An East Haven woman faces animal cruelty charges after her dog was found severely malnourished and tied up outside in February, according to East Haven police.
Police said 41-year-old Celena Campbell was arrested on May 11.
According to police, Campbell called a local animal hospital in February to report that her dog Samson was not eating and had not pooped in several days. Employees told Campbell to ring the dog in for a check-up, but she never showed. Concerned, employees contained East Haven Animal Control.
Animal control responded to Campbell’s home and found Samson, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, tied to a pool deck. Police said the dog had no access to food, water, or shelter and Animal Control Officer Sean Godejon reported it appeared the Samson had dug a hole to keep himself warm.
Godejon believed Samson was in need of immediate veterinary care and seized him. Samson was hospitalized and the veterinarians who treated him reported “significant neglect related injuries including severe malnourishment, muscle atrophy, and open sores down to the muscle ligament,” police said.
Campbell was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. She was released on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 23.
Samson was placed in another family and is reported to be “healthy and in good spirits,” according to police.
