NORTH SMITHFIELD – A North Smithfield man who reportedly told animal control officials he had euthanized his dog when they tried to check on the pet’s well being is now facing charges of unnecessary cruelty to animals and failure to provide adequate food.
William Dorothy, 34, was arrested on Friday, Jan. 16 following an investigation that involved evaluation of the malnourished dog at two separate facilities, and collaboration between several ACOs and animal advocates.
According to the police report, the investigation began when the North Smithfield Police Department received a tip regarding possible animal abuse in early December. When North Smithfield Animal Control Officer Leanne Garzone got in touch with Dorothy, he reportedly told her that he did previously have a dog, but that he had to euthanize it.
Soon after, Garzone was contacted by Burrillville Animal Control Officer Kerry Courtemanche, who said a resident in her town had recently taken custody of Dorothy’s dog Elvira, a 7-year-old pit bull mix.
In discussions with the Rhode Island Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other ACOs, Garzone determined that the dog should be evaluated at an animal hospital. The dog was extremely malnourished and underweight, and her body condition was rated at 1 out of 9 on the American Animal Hospital Association scale, according to the report.
“Elvira also had sores on her tale and body, which would be consistent with being left in the crate for extended periods of time,” the report notes.
It was later determined that Elvira was suffering from anemia due to starvation. The dog had a wound exposing bone and a cystic mass on her tail, and the report notes it was clear she had not been evaluated by a veterinarian for an extended period of time.
Police who visited Dorothy’s home described him as looking disheveled, and note that he would “constantly twitch” while speaking with officers.
“When asked about Elvira, William stated that he had to euthanized the dog and it was somewhere in North Attleboro,” the report notes. “Leanne then advised William that Elvira is in her custody so that is clearly a lie.”
Dorothy was later arrested at his home without incident. He is due back in court for a pre-trial conference on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
