Freetown woman faces animal cruelty charges
27 ‘undernourished’ animals surrendered, 3 found dead on property
A 21-year-old Freetown woman faces multiple felony charges after three dead dogs were found on the property where she lives and she surrendered 27 other animals — “all undernourished” — to the MSPCA, authorities said.
Miranda Rosyski is due to be arraigned on March 3 on 13 counts of animal cruelty at Fall River District Court.
The MSPCA and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office began an investigation after a “confidential complaint” to the MSPCA’s law-enforcement department, said Michael Keiley, director of the not-for-profit’s adoption centers.
When investigators went to the Howland Road property in the Assonet section of Freetown, they found three dogs that were already dead, he said.
Rosyski agreed on Jan. 9 to surrender the 27 remaining animals — 18 goats and nine dogs — “all undernourished” and living in unsanitary conditions, Keiley said.
Three of the goats were so emaciated that they died, despite the MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center’s efforts to save them, he said.
The surviving animals were placed on specialized re-feeding programs, the MSPCA said.
“The allegations in this case are disturbing, ” Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a statement. “We appreciate the efforts of the MSPCA’s Law Enforcement Department in contacting us and working with us to fully investigate this very serious matter.”
Rosyski could not be reached for comment yesterday. Her father, who returned a call from the Herald, said, “She doesn’t need this right now.”
Six of the nine dogs that were surrendered — redbone coonhounds, standard poodles and a black Labrador — were well enough to be adopted into new homes, Keiley said.
Three female redbone coonhounds, two of which are being treated for heartworm, remain in the care of the MSPCA, which is looking for loving homes for them, he said.
Would-be adopters are encouraged to visit the MSPCA’s Nevins Farm Adoption Center in Methuen to meet 7-year-old Bella, 4-year-old Fancy and 3-yearold Peyton.
“Coonhounds certainly like to use their voices because they’re hounds,” Keiley said, “so it’s best to have neighbors who are appreciative of that.”
The MSPCA at Nevins Farm also is looking for “forever homes” zoned for farm animals for the Nigerian Dwarf goats, four of whom are pregnant, Keiley said.
“They’re doing well at this point,” he said. “When they came in, they were pretty traumatized and malnourished. So we’re hoping we can identify really great adopters for them. The most important thing we can do is make sure they go to loving homes.”
Hours and directions to Nevins Farm can be found at mspca.org.