MilfordMirror | By Austin Mirmina | February 10, 2025 |
EAST HAVEN — A town woman who was accused of numerous counts of animal cruelty and lost custody of seven of her nine dogs was found not guilty this week.
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In Sept. 2023, Main Street resident Khalea Dancer was charged with nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after authorities said they found nine dogs left outside in stifling heat without access to food or water. State prosecutors later charged Dancer with an additional felony count of animal cruelty.
Shortly after seizing the dogs, East Haven sued Dancer for ownership of the animals and was awarded custody of seven of them: six puggle puppies and their mother, which since have been adopted, officials said.
On Wednesday, a jury acquitted Dancer of the charges following a trial in Superior Court in New Haven, according to the clerk's office.
"I'm happy that the right verdict was rendered," Dancer said in a phone call Friday. She added: "I'm really upset that we don't get the mother and the puppies back because they determined I was guilty before I was even given my criminal trial. I don't think that's very fair that they were able to do that."
Emily Higgins, the head of East Haven's Animal Control Department, said in a statement this week that all of the dogs were "healthy and safe" in their new homes.
When her office receives a complaint, Higgins said, they conduct a "thorough investigation" and, when appropriate, move quickly to "secure the animals and ensure their safety."
Under state law, municipalities can gain custody of animals suspected of neglect or abuse by filing a “verified petition” as part of a civil dispute, said Zilla Cannamela, co-founder and president of Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates, an animal rights advocacy group.
“That’s how those dogs are being adopted out,” Cannamela said. “We recommend that is done so the animals don’t linger in the pound while the criminal case is ongoing, because that could be years.”
According to Higgins, when animal control officers seize animals they believe are in danger, the town will seek civil actions for custody of the animals and put them up for adoption. The state's attorney, meanwhile, reviews the town's investigation and decides whether to pursue criminal charges.
"While there are instances of successful civil prosecutions and unsuccessful criminal prosecutions, there are a variety of factors at play, and achieving a criminal conviction typically carries a much higher burden of proof," Higgins said.
According to a police report, Higgins and fellow East Haven ACO Owen Little discovered the six puppies and three adult puggle mixes outside Dancer's Main Street home in 88-degree heat.
Dancer had said her 74-year-old uncle took the dogs out to use the bathroom earlier that morning while she slept. But she had said he fell asleep on the porch and did not bring the dogs back in.
As part of the custody battle, a Superior Court judge ruled that the town had "met its burden of proof" that the puppies, then about 6 weeks old, and their mother were "neglected or cruelly treated by the defendant."
The judge found that Dancer had not neglected the other two adult dogs and ordered they be returned to her.
"As animal control officers, our top priority is the safety and well-being of the animals in our community and under our care," Higgins said in her statement. "We are committed to taking swift action within the scope of our authority and, when necessary, will always refer individuals who harm animals to the State for criminal prosecution."
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