Press

8/9/2024

(graphic pictures below)

CT Couple Charged with Animal Abuse – GRR Supports the “Justice for Midnite” Campaign

CT Couple Charged in Dog Cruelty and Long Starvation Case Granted Accelerated Rehabilitation/Diversionary Program, “Justice for Midnite” Campaign Devastated by Court Ruling

Litchfield, CT – August 6, 2024 – A Connecticut couple arrested on charges of animal abuse for starving their dog were granted accelerated rehabilitation, a diversionary program, that if successfully completed, results in dismissal of the charges, by Litchfield Judicial Court Judge Brian Preleski on Monday, July 29.

The defendants, Claudio Nunez and Emerald Erdman, starved their retired racing greyhound named Midnite for many months, if not years. According to Kathryn Panigrahi, DVM, “The level of his emaciation is most often seen in animals who have been confined for long periods of time without any food. The level of muscle wasting Midnite suffered is a sign that his body was using his own muscle for nutrients to prevent himself from dying. The infected wounds and sores are the result of laying on hard surfaces where his skin, not healthy fat or musculature, are the only barrier between the ground and his bones.”

According to the State’s Attorney, the state of “neglect or intentional mistreatment” … “would have continued to worsen had the dog not taken his fate into his own hands and escaped from Nunez and Erdman’s home”. Late March 2024, in a near-death condition, he was found on the road by a good Samaritan and taken in by Regional Animal Control, where he was diagnosed by veterinarians with emaciation and dehydration. Barely able to stand, he had lost almost half his body weight since adoption though it is estimated the starvation occurred over a 6-8 month period.

The court’s decision led to immediate shock and outrage among a nationwide group of retired racing greyhound advocates who started the “Justice for Midnite” campaign. The group believes that such a severe case of animal abuse should have been charged as a felony under state law and not a misdemeanor. Over 60 members of the “Justice for Midnite” campaign from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island appeared in person at the Litchfield Courthouse, along with Midnite, who was able to be rehabilitated at significant cost to Greyhound Rescue & Rehab.

Christine Johnson, the president and founder of Greyhound Rescue and Rehab serving Westchester and Connecticut, issued the following statement: “A gross injustice was perpetrated against Midnite and it’s a miracle that he’s even alive. It’s hard enough as a human being to trust and love when you’ve been abused and hurt. Imagine being a dog and not understand why your family is starving you. Now imagine having the courage to trust people despite it. That is a hero. That is Midnite.”

Citing to (a), Johnson noted, “The fact that Midnite was denied food, water and adequate bedding for months or years on end, causing him to lose almost half his body weight and have open bleeding wounds on his hind end, such mistreatment should have been charged as a felony.”

Judge Perleski stated that while the “the conduct was reprehensible & terrible,” under the current law, as a first time offense, it is a misdemeanor. As such, Nunez and Erdman were granted the diversionary program and ordered to be on probation for 2 years, required to pay $5,200 in restitution to Greyhound Rescue & Rehab, complete 100 hours of community service, seek a mental health evaluation and are not permitted to own any animals during two years of probation. However, if defendants adhere to the court’s order, their charges will be dismissed in 2026 without a criminal record, and they will be able to adopt after the probation ends in 2026.

The ”Justice for Midnite Campaign” believes that Nunez and Erdman should be facing jail time and be placed on “Do Not Adopt” lists by rescues. Johnson plans to fight for judicial reform and further action to ensure the defendants and no one like them can harm animals in the future. Greyhound Rescue and Rehab is asking supporters to use the hashtag #JusticeForMidnite to petition Connecticut lawmakers to prevent this injustice from ever happening again.

For all media inquiries, please contact Sabrina Cartan at, press@greyhoundrescuerehab.org

Pictures of Midnight when he was picked up from the dog warden