Bridgeport, Connecticut – Two men were arrested on Friday for leaving dogs outside in “life-threatening” cold. According to the Bridgeport Police Department, Benito Islesias, 72, and Rusty Rodriguez, 46, were taken into custody at around 11:45 p.m. Friday.
Officers responded to a residence on the 400 block of Union Avenue after receiving an anonymous call about dogs suffering outside in the frigid weather. In a release, the authorities recounted the life-threatening conditions:
Police found two of the dogs barking and tethered to separate dilapidated wooden shelters in the backyard. A third dog was located in the basement. There were frozen buckets of water and containers of spoiled food near the dogs. Police had to cut the restraints on the dogs to free them. Officers recorded the wind chill temperature outside to be minus-11 degrees Fahrenheit when they arrived.
The three dogs, whose ages range from five to 10 years, were taken by animal control. The authorities said, “The dogs are currently under the care of the Animal Control Division and are reported to be doing well.”
Islesias and Rodriguez were taken into custody, but they posted bond and were released; they are scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on January 30th.
The authorities added:
The Bridgeport Police responded to the same address on Union Avenue for Animal Cruelty calls in both 2018 and 2023. Benito Islesias was also charged with Animal Cruelty during the 2018 incident.
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