Arrest Made In New Canaan Following Discovery Of 3 Dead Puppies

NEW CANAAN, CT — The discovery of three dead puppies at a home on Butler Lane in New Canaan in September resulted in an investigation and the arrest of a Greenwich woman on charges of cruelty to animals, according to New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski.

Catherine D. Palmer, the 48-year-old Greenwich resident who owns the New Canaan home, surrendered to police Sunday after authorities obtained a warrant for her arrest. Palmer, also known as Cassie Palmer and Cate Palmer, was charged with three counts of cruelty to animals and was released after posting bond on bail of $10,000.

The warrant was obtained by New Canaan Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm, who began investigating the Butler Lane home on Aug. 12 following a report by a tenant in the house that there was a sick puppy at the home.

Halm soon discovered that Palmer, the home's owner, "routinely" left puppies there, including five others, three puppies and two adult dogs in a gated area in the kitchen.

"There was feces and urine covering the floors," Halm wrote in the warrant arrest application. "A bowl of dry food and water was visible. Conditions on the floor and walls were unsanitary for both the dogs and the tenants who resided there."

The tenants in the home told Halm that they cleaned up after the dogs, because Palmer was often not around to do so.

Further investigation led Halm to claim that Palmer was "importing puppies and operating a Pet Store without a license."

About a month later, the three dead puppies were discovered in the home, one on one day and two on another day.

Soon after, Halm obtained the warrant, and earlier in November she seized 12 dogs from the home. Those dogs are "being well cared for and are thriving," according to Krolikowski.

Reached for comment by Patch on Monday, Halm said that she was "not able to comment at his time."

Palmer is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 28.