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Richard F. Doyle, owner of American Breeders at 128 Federal Road and a resident of Mahopac, N.Y., was arrested after an investigation by state animal control officers from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The probe began in March after one of his employees made a complaint about the mistreatment of animals.
Doyle also owns American Breeders stores in Mohegan Lake and Wappingers Falls.
Doyle performed a surgical procedure, in the pet shop in March, on the eye of a Neapolitan Mastiff, which he is not licensed to do, the Department of Agriculture said.
The employee provided photographs showing the dog suffering severe bleeding, the department said. She also said she was often told treat animals with medication and administer shots although she is not licensed to do so.
Doyle also is accused of confining a critically ill exotic kitten and failing to provide it with immediate veterinary care, the department said. The kitten was euthanized.
He is also charged with failing to provide care to a sick Shih-Tzu puppy in April. The puppy came from one of Doyle's stores in New York and left with a Danbury employee, the department said. The puppy suffered vomiting, diarrhea and coughing and was later euthanized.
Doyle was arrested Monday on a warrant signed by a Danbury Superior Court judge. He was released on a written promise to appear in court on Aug. 6.
Charges of animal cruelty are also pending against one of Doyle’s store managers, the department said.
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