Better days for Henry the mastiff
GREENWICH — A mastiff found wandering in Bruce Park earlier this summer was in bad shape: “beaten down, abandoned and abused,” in the words of police.
But the story has a happy ending, thanks to the generosity of a police officer. The mastiff was given a new start, a new name — Henry — and was taken in by Officer Pat O’Connor.
Henry is now thriving. According to the Silver Shield Association, O’Connor adopted
the dog after it was placed in the town’s animal shelter.
“He cared for Henry each morning after working his midnight shift, while Henry was at the pound. After weeks of doing so, Pat welcomed Henry into his family and adopted him. Henry has never been happier and it certainly shows,” the police union posted on Facebook.
Henry now looks happy and healthy with his new owner. O’Connor has two other dogs.
Meanwhile, a Greenwich
man who allegedly harmed and abandoned the dog is due in court next month. Christian Dilworth, 23, of Brookside Drive was charged last week with cruelty to animals.
Dilworth reportedly adopted the dog, then named Duke, from an animal shelter in Norwalk.
Police also charged him with making a false statement, interfering with a police investigation, illegal release of a domestic animal and failure to comply with dog-ownership regulations, police said.
The dog, when found on June 3, showed “signs and symptoms consistent with having been abused,” according to police. Greenwich Animal Control determined that Dilworth had adopted the mastiff in May.
“When Dilworth was contacted about his dog, he told investigators it had died,” according to the police report. “He then provided misleading and contradictory information about the circumstances of the dog’s alleged death.”
After an extensive investigation by police, a warrant was issued for Dilworth’s arrest, and he turned himself in on Thursday. Bond was set at $25,000.