Pet Lovers Start Petition To Bar EG Man From Owning Pets

EAST GREENWICH, RI—Eugene McQuade had his day in court after state police seized 11 dogs from his properties in Exeter and in Coventry. The outcome was far from the one animal activists had hoped for. Now, people unhappy about the decision are starting an online petition to demand McQuade, 35, never be allowed to own a pet again.

McQuade, who has been brought up on animal cruelty charges before, was facing 24 counts of mistreating animals (12 for failing to feed them plus 12 for unnecessary cruelty) and one abandonment charge this time, according to the judicial portal. Police alleged the East Greenwich man had left the dogs outside in the woods in extreme cold and without food. Troopers responded after people heard the dogs barking in the middle of the night and called for help.

But the state Attorney General's office moved to dismiss all but one of the charges. McQuade pleaded no contest to one charge. The judge filed the case, meaning it will disappear from his record if he stays out of trouble for a year.

Associate Justice Sarah Taft-Carter also gave him back three of the dogs. He did have to pay the shelter for the dogs' food and care. And he may be able to reclaim six more dogs, according to the online petition, which is asking the state Attorney General's office to bar McQuade from owning animals.

Some 28,000 people so far have signed it.

Related Story: After Neglect & Abandonment Rescued Dogs Are Recovering

Courtesy Photo: Rhode Island State Police