DERBY — Officers charged the owners of a German shepherd Friday after the dog was found shot overnight with a shattered leg and a bullet in his shoulder, according to Derby Police.
Stranja Perrin, 28, called police around 2 a.m. Friday reporting an injured German shepherd at Coon Hollow Park. Police found Perrin and 27-year-old Anthony Singletary in her car at the park with Perrin’s two minor children, according to Derby Police Lt. Justin Stanko.
Officers found the injured German shepherd at the Derby Picnic Grove on Nutmeg Avenue. The dog — described by police as black and brown and likely 8 months old to 2 years old — had been shot at least twice and was taken to a local veterinarian for treatment.
Though the dog did not have a microchip, police discovered that both Perrin and Singletary had a male German shepherd that matched the injured dog’s description. Multiple sources also told police that the two were recently homeless and living in the vehicle.
Both Perrin and Singletary denied owning a dog, Stanko said.
Video surveillance showed Perrin’s vehicle arriving at the park an hour before calling police. Officers found 10 9mm shell casings at the scene, which were consistent with ammunition Perrin had with two 9mm handguns that she was legally licensed to carry, Stanko said.
Perrin was charged with conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of a firearm, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, conspiracy to commit first-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of risk of injury to a child. She was held on $100,000 bond.
Singletary, a convicted felon, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of a firearm, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, conspiracy to commit first-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of risk of injury to a child. Singletary was held on a $150,000 bond.
Both Perrin and Singletary are scheduled to appear in court April 7. Neither Singletary nor Perrin have prior animal cruelty charges, Stanko said.
Perrin’s children were placed with family members.
Stanko said the dog was in stable condition after being shot at least twice. One bullet shattered the dog’s front leg and another was still embedded in his shoulder earlier Friday.
The dog needed surgery on his leg and to remove the second bullet. Animal Control later said the dog’s surgery had no complications. Police said the medical costs are expected to be significant.
Animal Control is working to place the dog in foster care.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 203-735-7811.
Stanko said anyone who wants to help cover those medical costs can call Shelton Animal Control at 203-924-3501 and press 1 when prompted.
