Stay away from dogs, judge tells town woman in animal cruelty case
STAMFORD — A Greenwich woman accused of cruelty to animals was released from custody in December on two conditions: She was not permitted near any dogs and was not allowed to sell them.
But police say Catherine Palmer, 49, charged in the deaths of three dogs, failed to abide by that agreement.
Marshals arrested Palmer Wednesday when she appeared in state Superior Court in Stamford for allegedly violating the conditions of her release.
The charge stems from Palmer being seen dropping off three dogs last month at a Norwalk veterinarian, according to her arrest warrant.
Norwalk Police Lt. David O’Connor said Palmer dropped off three dogs “covered in vomit, feces and urine” on Feb. 5 at the United Animal Center on Westport Avenue.
Palmer told employees that the dogs belonged to her boyfriend, the warrant said. Employees told police that Palmer’s boyfriend
Palmer was arrested in December on three counts of cruelty to animals stemming from the deaths of three puppies in her New Canaan home, police said.
could not provide any details about the animals when he was contacted, according to the warrant.
At Palmer’s arraignment Thursday, defense attorney Mark Kratter argued the crime his client is accused of committing did not merit the $150,000 bond that was set.
But Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Moran said the act showed a “blatant and flagrant disregard” for court orders. In addition to having contact with dogs, Moran said Palmer has been arranging to sell more pets, which she said also violates court orders.
Moran argued for the bond to be maintained at $150,000 and for the court to impose GPS monitoring, a curfew and a travel ban outside of Connecticut as conditions of release.
In a compromise, Judge John Blawie lowered the bond to $25,000 and instituted GPS monitoring.
As a part of the conditions of her release, Blawie said Palmer cannot have contact with dogs. He also said she cannot participate in any dog sale “directly or indirectly.”
“You’re in a hole right now, and you need to stop digging,” Blawie warned Palmer.
Palmer was arrested in December on three counts of cruelty to animals stemming from the deaths of three puppies in her New Canaan home, police said.
New Canaan Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm described a scene at the home that included feces on the floor where the dogs were held, feces matted in their fur and the presence of the parvovirus that she said killed at least two puppies.
During testimony in December in a civil case for custody of the dogs that were seized, Halm described how she was first called to the home last August when a tenant reported a sick dog. Halm testified she returned to the home in September and seized 12 dogs after three puppies died. She described the animals as being neglected and living in feces in the kitchen, according to her testimony.
Palmer is next scheduled to appear in court April 28 for the criminal charges.