Attorney General expands investigation of Greyhound Friends

At a popular Somerville watering hole, the former head of a greyhound adoption kennel recently promoted a self-published guide about her history with retired racers. What many patrons likely did not know is that Louise Coleman, as well as the Greyhound Friends charity she founded, have been under the eye of the Public Charities Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office due to potential "misapplication of donor funds and/or breaches of trust".

In March 2017, the Attorney General's Office received approval from the Suffolk Superior Civil Court for an extensive review of Greyhound Friends' financial records, board meeting minutes, and correspondence; and issued investigative demands to the charity as well as its director Louise Coleman of Sherborn; John Mottern, who reportedly charged the charity for an array of services; and the charity's bank, Middlesex Savings Bank.

In February 2018, the Attorney General's Office expanded its financial investigation of Greyhound Friends, issuing a demand for additional bank records. The Suffolk Superior Civil Court records state, "based on a review of correspondence from documents already gathered from Greyhound Friends, the AGO has reason to believe that certain bank transactions warrant closer scrutiny."

"Whenever the Attorney General believes that charitable funds have not been or are not being applied to charitable purposes or that breaches of trust have been or are being committed in the administration of a public charity, she may investigate under G.L.c. 12 S8H(1) upon application to and approval by this Court."

Greyhound Friends has had numerous run-ins over the years with state and local officials for breaking kennel regulations. This resulted in several kennel closures and fines. In January 2017, the state issued a cease & desist order after several MSPCA and Animal Rescue League inspections. The town then suspended the group's kennel license.

Greyhound Friends was under fire again in March 2017 for alleged mistreatment of dogs. Former insiders accused the kennel of "warehousing" dogs for years and keeping them in cages that an animal behaviorist said were too small. One volunteer had resigned, stating the organization "took in more than $3 million dollars but claimed there was no money for basic things". Half a dozen animal rescue groups also wrote letters of complaint to officials after taking dogs from the facility who appeared to have not received appropriate care.

In July 2017, Framingham District Court Judge Jennifer Stark denied the defense’s motion to dismiss the charges, saying the facts “demonstrate probable cause to believe that the defendant unnecessarily failed to provide the animals with the proper sanitary environment.” In November 2017, Coleman was acquitted of the animal cruelty charge in December 2017, with Judge Cunis stating it was more of a regulatory than criminal issue and fell well short of felony cruelty.

However, problems continued for the greyhound group after reports became public documenting neglect of dogs at the greyhound kennel. Reports show Greyhound Friends dogs not receiving appropriate care for cancer, heartworm disease, dental disease, and other conditions.

The state Department of Agricultural Resources issued a report of numerous dogs with medical conditions Greyhound Friends did not provide veterinary care for or or did not treat appropriately, and a dog with bite wounds Greyhound Friends reportedly left in the kennel without medical care for four days. In its report, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources explained, “information is collected from witness statements, veterinary records, reports from other rescues, and reports from Greyhound Friends' own files. These dogs’ cases are brought forth as examples of the lack of adequate care that pervades the culture at Greyhound Friends."

Months after the Greyhound Friends kennel license was suspended, a New Hampshire woman reported that Greyhound Friends adopted out a greyhound with high levels of hookworms from the Holliston Meadows board facility, without disclosing his illness. According to the CDC, hookworms are internal parasites that can be transmitted to other pets and people.

The kennel has been closed since January 2017, and much controversy has surrounding its potential reopening. Nearly a dozen animal organizations wrote in opposition to reinstatement of the license, stating that the long history of violations and the reports of neglect show "the group is unable to properly care for animals". The group responded on its website, stating that "Greyhound Friends fell short primarily in documenting the delivery of care to our dogs, rather than the quality of care itself."

The Town of Hopkinton plans to hold a public hearing on August 7, 2018 about whether to reissue the group's kennel license.

In the meantime, little more is known about the Attorney General investigation. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed to a MetroWest Daily News reporter that the investigation is ongoing.