MIDDLEBOROUGH — Interim Police Chief Robert Ferreira reports that the Middleborough Police Department has charged a woman with 20 counts of animal cruelty following the conclusion of an animal welfare investigation.
KIMBERLY ANN SAVINO, AGE 43, of MIDDLEBOROUGH, was charged with:
- Cruelty to Animal by Custodian, Subsequent Offense (20 Counts)
On Thursday, Nov. 7, SAVINO turned herself in at Wareham District Court after Middleborough Police had obtained a warrant for her arrest on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
SAVINO was arraigned today at the Wareham District Court.
On Friday, Oct. 18, Middleborough Animal Control responded to 53 Precinct St. to execute an administrative warrant as part of an animal welfare investigation prompted by neighbors’ complaints. That morning, the MSPCA Law Enforcement Department executed a search warrant regarding horses on the property.
While executing the administrative warrant, Animal Control officers located 17 dogs, two cats, a turtle, and a guinea pig needing medical care inside the home. One dog that appeared unresponsive but breathing and unable to move was immediately removed from the house. The home was then secured, and Middleborough Police obtained a search warrant to investigate.
During the execution of the search warrant, police located the 17 dogs in the basement, all in crates and covered in feces and urine. It appeared that the dogs had not been out of the crates for an extended period of time and were without food and water.
The investigation revealed that SAVINO would only visit the animals once a week and that no one regularly lived at the house.
On Oct. 18, the Middleborough Health Department condemned the house because it was a health hazard, and the Middleborough Fire Department determined it to be a fire hazard.
Nine of the dogs taken from the house remain in the care of the Middleborough Animal Shelter. Eight of the dogs remain in the MSPCA’s care.
On Thursday, SAVINO surrendered the animals.
All further press inquiries should be directed to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
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