Oxford woman pleads not guilty to 41 counts of animal cruelty

By The Associated Press

DERBY — An Oxford woman has pleaded not guilty to 41 counts of animal cruelty after having a menagerie removed from her home in February.

Oxford Animal Control began investigating 47-year-old Karen Desrosiers after it received a report of a roaming dog Feb. 20. That investigation led to the discovery of numerous malnourished animals.

State agriculture officials, troopers and local animal control officers seized 18 chickens, six turkeys, six guinea fowl, a horse, a donkey, two miniature horses, a goat, one pig, four dogs and a cat.

Attorney Philip Fazzone tells the Connecticut Post that Desrosiers had good intentions, but could not physically or financially care for the animals.

She was released Monday on a $5,000 bond and is due back in court on June 7.