22 Puppies Seized, 4 Arrested In Stamford: Police

STAMFORD, CT — Two Stamford residents and two New York residents were recently arrested and 22 dogs, most of which are considered "high-end puppies," were confiscated in connection with a case involving credit card fraud and animal neglect, according to police.

In a news release Tuesday, police Lt. Nicholas Montagnese said officers investigated several instances in late February in which veterinary services were paid for with fraudulent credit cards. Police also received complaints from residents that numerous dogs were being housed, and possibly neglected, at a Belltown Road residence, Montagnese said.

(To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Police executed a search warrant at the Belltown Road residence March 5 and police arrested Nygel Joseph, 24, of Stamford. He was charged with second-degree forgery.

"During the execution of this search warrant, 20 puppies were seized," Montagnese said in a news release. "The puppies were then brought to a local veterinary hospital for examination and treatment. In addition, two other puppies, which were owned by the suspects, were later turned over to the Stamford Police Department from another veterinary hospital."

The department's Financial Crimes Unit executed numerous search warrants on phone records and bank and credit card accounts, evidence from which led to the arrest of three more people:

• Paul Joseph, 23, of Stamford
• Ebony Ayala, 23, of Mount Vernon, New York
• Devon Sherman, 25, of Peekskill, New York

They were charged with racketeering, first-degree larceny, conspiracy at first-degree larceny, conspiracy at illegal use of a payment card, animal neglect and importing dogs without a health certificate.

Joseph was additionally charged with theft of a payment card, and both Ayala and Sherman were charged with trafficking in personal identifying information. All three were held on $200,000 bail.

Montagnese said the 22 puppies are in good health and currently being cared for.