LCI AND NEW HAVEN POLICE SAVE THIRTY CATS ON BASSETT STREET

(4/11/2008) Police Continue Investigation and Plan to Pursue Criminal Charges

NEW HAVEN- After 50 cats were found dead at 467 Quinnipiac Avenue on March 26th, the New Haven Police Department alongside the City’s Livable City Initiative (LCI), began an investigation into the incident and made it a point to ensure that the home’s last owner wasn’t jeopardizing the lives of any other animals. As part of the investigation, Police and LCI searched for any other properties owned by Dino Cortina, the individual suspected of abandoning the deceased cats at the Quinnipiac Avenue home.

On Monday of this week, Officer Anthony Holloman notified LCI that there were two cats spotted in the window of 106 Bassett Street. The vacant three-family house is owned by New Haven LLC and managed by Cortina. LCI, New Haven Police, and Animal Control extended their investigation to 106 Bassett Street where investigators found twenty-five cats on the second floor and five cats in the basement, all of which were removed by Animal Control for physical evaluation. All 30 cats appeared to be well-fed and were voluntarily surrendered by Mr. Cortina.

“We are proud of the cooperative effort of LCI investigators, Animal Control, and the NHPD,” said Andrew Rizzo, Executive Director of LCI. “Our staff works hard to respond to the needs of our community, to tackle blight and to make our neighborhoods safe, clean and welcoming. We are very pleased to have been able to rescue 30 cats.”

New Haven Police will continue an investigation into the incident at 467 Quinnipiac Ave and plan to pursue criminal charges against Cortina.

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660