House Fire Leads To Rescue Of Malnourished Dogs, Animal Cruelty Charges In Fairfield County

The homeowner who initially threatened firefighters arriving at the scene of a burning shed on his property was charged with animal cruelty, among other crimes, after authorities found two malnourished dogs in cages and the remains of three more dogs in his backyard in Fairfield County, police said.

After ultimately gaining access to the backyard, police said they observed two malnourished dogs, one that was "visibly cold" and another in a cage filled with feces. The bodies of three dead dogs were also found.
Photo Credit: *Pixabay*

Christina Coulter

12/06/2020 7:30 a.m.

Firefighters were notified of black smoke emanating from the 600th block of Wayne Street in Bridgeport at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Monday Dec. 1, according to police. Police were called to the scene soon afterward when firefighters said they were threatened by individuals on the property.

Police said that David Valle of Bridgeport, 38, was "visibly upset" by the presence of fire units and police on the property. Both Valle and 39-year-old Sherry Yasin of Kissimmee Florida reportedly interfered with police and a fire inspector, preventing them from gaining access to the rear yard to extinguish the fire.

After ultimately gaining access to the backyard, police said they observed two malnourished dogs, one that was "visibly cold [and] shivering... with no water or blankets" and another in a cage filled with feces. The bodies of three dead dogs, police said, were soon discovered by the fire inspector.

Valle was charged with the following, and sent to jail in lieu of a $20,000 bond:

Two felony counts of cruelty to animals
The felony of Reckless burning
The misdemeanor of resisting arrest
The misdemeanor of second-degree breach of peace
The misdemeanor of second-degree threatening

Yasin was charged, police said, with interfering with an officer.

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