Dogs, Chickens Rescued From Woonsocket House: Police

WOONSOCKET, RI — She was "meaning to clean this place up," police allege Korina Ferreira told them Thursday night. But after one dog went out on the roof at 36 Cottage St., a neighbor called police. Animal control officers rescued nine dogs, eight puppies, four chickens and some chicks. They also found a dead chicken in a sink, a dead pig in the kitchen, and a dead pheasant in the basement. Ferreira, 40, of Fall River, Mass., was arrested at 2:51 p.m. and charged with 17 counts of animal cruelty. All the charges are misdemeanors.

Here is Ofc. Steven A. Langevin's narrative from the police report.

On 3/29/18 at approximately 1900HRS I was dispatched to 36 Cottage St for a report of an animal problem. The reporting party stated there was a dog on the roof of the property.

Upon arrival I observed what appeared to be a barking dog on a landing directly outside a window on the second floor of 36 Cottage St. I met with a neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous. The neighbor explained that they noticed a dog on the roof and called Police. The neighbor stated he believed 36 Cottage St was abandoned as they had not observed anyone living there for well over a year. As I conducted a walk through of the exterior of the property, I observed two dogs poke their heads out of an open window on the second floor. The neighbor informed me he believed the female dog may have recently given birth as she appeared to have enlarged teats. I continued my investigation by walking around the property. I observed several large bags of dog food in the rear of the property along with several horse saddles and various items. As I looked into the windows of the first floor, I observed what appeared to be feces and massive amounts of clutter within the apartment. I could clearly hear the sounds of multiple dogs barking from the second floor apartment.

It should be noted that Police responded to the same address for a report of a barking dog on 3/28/18 (Ref 18-1817-OF). I spoke with dispatch who informed me the address of 36 Cottage was on the city's vacant building list. I was able to locate a notice from National Grid located on the front door of the first floor. The notice informed the occupants of the second floor of the electricity being shut off. The notice was addressed to Ann Begetti. I was informed by dispatch that they were unable to locate any contact information for Ann. I was able to access the outside of the second floor as there was a staircase leading to a porch. On the porch was what appeared to be a makeshift kennel. There was a copious amount of dog droppings inside the confines of the kennel. I looked inside the windows of the second floor and observed more fecal matter on the floor of the second floor apartment. The condition of the second floor apartment was in extreme
clutter and appeared to be unkept (sic). I observed a refrigerator blocking access to the living room. By the condition of the second floor apartment, it appeared that someone was living inside at which point I attempted several times to make contact with someone inside but there was no answer.

I notified Sgt. Carpenter of my findings and moments later he arrived on scene with Detective Flood. While conducting another exterior check of the apartment, Sgt. Carpenter was able to locate an open window. Police were able to see inside the window and observed two adult dogs in a cage and another adult dog in a separate cage and what appeared to be a small cage containing numerous chickens. Once the window was open I could detect an overwhelming odor of fecal matter and urine. Due to the exigent circumstances in checking the well being of the animals inside, Sgt. Carpenter and I attempted to gain entry.

Before Police made entry, a woman, later identified as Korina Ferreira, arrived on scene. Korina stated she was the daughter of Ann and that she was living on the second floor. When asked about the dogs inside the apartment, Ann stated there were approximately 7-8 dogs inside of the apartment to include several newborn puppies. Moments later, ACO Cole arrived on scene. Korina informed Police that she was previously arrested in Massachusetts for animal abuse and stated " I know I'm going to Jail."

After speaking to her about the behavior of all animals inside, Korina gave verbal consent for Police and the ACO to check the condition of the animals inside the apartment. Korina lead Police inside the second floor apartment at which point I observed there to be massive amounts of clutter, there was fecal matter and dried urine covering the floor making it difficult to breath. Korina moved the refrigerator blocking the living room at which point approximately 7 dogs came running out of the living room, stampeding towards Police. The dogs appeared to be extremely dirty and covered in filth, urine and fecal matter. Korina was advised to keep all the dogs under control however had a difficult time as they ran about the apartment.

I observed one dog bite into a gallon of water as it drank from it frantically. Korina informed Police there was no running water inside the apartment so she had to deliver water to them on a nightly basis. As Police were assessing the condition of the apartment, Korina stated multiple times "I know this place is a mess, I've been meaning to clean up". She informed Police she had nowhere else to place the dogs.

The dogs were finally contained inside a makeshift kennel in the back yard of the property. Korina informed Police there was locked room containing the 3 caged dogs. A count of all dogs revealed there were 9 adult dogs (one being the mother of the newborn puppies) and 8 recently born puppies. Moments later BCI Detective Lt. Brooks arrived on scene and photographed the exterior and interior of the apartment. Lt. Brooks was able to gain entry into the locked room, the room had an overwhelming odor of urine, fecal matter and rotten food. Police were able to locate 12 small chickens and 4 adult chickens. The three dogs enclosed in the cages were laying in their own bodily fluids and there appeared to be rotten food inside their cages. One caged dog was extremely aggressive as Police entered the room. As Lt. Brooks completed his investigation, it was determined that due to the poor living conditions of the animals, RISPCA would respond to 36 Cottage St.

Due to the quantity of dogs inside the apartment, Warwick and North Smithfield ACO's were dispatched to assist with the removal of the dogs. Moments later, RISPCA Officers Newman and Warzysha arrived on scene to investigate.

During their investigation, I was informed that RISPCA had located what appeared to be a deceased and decaying pig inside the second floor apartment. Police then determined a search of the rest of the apartment was warranted for any possible animals. While conducting a search of the basement, I observed what appeared to be a makeshift pig pen inside the basement. There was a large amount of hay and pig food present in the basement along with what appeared to be rabbit droppings. I located a deceased bird in the basement, later identified as a pheasant. No other animals were located in the basement or the first floor apartment. After speaking with RISPCA agents Newman and Warzysha, it was determined that Korina would be charged with 17 counts of Unnecessary Cruelty to Animals.

Korina was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Woonsocket Police Station to be processed. I remained on scene and all 17 dogs and puppies were removed from the property. ACO's from Woonsocket, Warwick, and North Smithfield seized all dogs and puppies without incident. RISPCA Officers informed Police they would continue their investigation.
I cleared scene and returned to service.

Sgt. Carpenter also provided a narrative.

"On 29MAR18 at approx. 1930 hrs., I was contacted by Officer Langevin in regards to an animal problem. Off. Langevin advised that he was on a call at 36 Cottage St., where neighbors were reporting that some dogs had been abandoned in a second floor apartment. Langevin stated that when he arrived on scene two pitbulls were on the roof of a first floor porch, that they had accessed through a open window. Det. Flood also responded to assist.

"As I arrived on scene, and observed two pitbulls barking out of an open window. Shortly after they walked out unto the roof and then back in. I contacted dispatch and they confirmed that the home was on the cities vacant building list. It also did not have running water or electricity. The first floor had no window treatments and I could observe it was stripped down to the studs and was strewn with trash. All the windows to the second floor were partially ajar, and I could smell an odor of urine and feces emanating from the house despite being a breezy night. Dispatch advised the home was listed as owned by an Ann Bigetti, but they had no contact information.

"Ofc. Langevin directed me to a rear staircase that lead to a porch on the second floor. The odor
significantly increased and I observed the porch was full of trash including chicken crates. There were two windows on the porch and both were also partially ajar. I could hear several dogs barking inside and observed the kitchen to be full of trash with animal feces on the floor. I could not observe any dogs and Langevin pointed out that the fridge was blocking the hallway keeping the dogs in the front of the house.

"I looked in the other second floor window and observed two dog crates and a cage with approx a dozen small chickens in a small bedroom. This room was also covered with trash. I saw that one dog crate contained a labradoodle and pitbull looking dog and the other a pitbull. Neither cage had food or water in them and both were covered with feces.

"It was determined that due to the extremely unsanitary conditions and lack of food and water, we
would need to force entry to provide care to the animals. We contacted ACO's Kay and Cole and
requested they respond to the scene to assist. While waiting for the ACO's a female identified as Korina Ferreira walked up to us identifying herself as the owner of the animals. We asked if she lived in the building and she stated "sometimes". When I advised the building was condemned and did not have running water or power she stated her mom owned the property and she used to live there. She stated she now lives in Fall River, and has been keeping her animals there until she could provide new housing for them. I asked how long they had been there and she stated "Since the summer." We asked how many dogs were inside and she stated "Four and a liter of puppies."

"We advised her we would need to check the condition of the animals and she immediately stated 'I'm going to jail.' I asked why she thought that, and she stated 'The place is gross, and I've already been charged with Animal Cruelty in Mass.'

"She stated that charge was for not feeding the dogs, but she pointed out four large bags of dog food and said she has been feeding these animals. When asked about the lack of running water she stated she checks on the dogs nightly to provide them with water. However, Ferriera only had one gallon jug of water with her for the dozens of animals inside. Ferriera became defensive stating that she's capable of caring for animals and also owned several horses and goats. She refused to comment further on these animals or say where they were kept.

"ACO Kay arrived on scene and spoke with Ferreira about how many animals were in the
residence. She advised Ferreira we needed to check the condition of the animals and that would be
most safely accomplished with her assistance. Ferreira agreed and stated she would secure the dogs.

"We determined the safest plan was to have Ferreira remove the dogs to a kennel in the backyard so they could be examined. She opened the door and removed the fridge, and several dogs ran out into the backyard. The dogs immediately began looking for water and started drinking from pools of water from various pieces of trash in the yard. The dogs all had feces on their paws and legs and some had it on there bodies as well. Some appeared slightly skinny, but did not appear to have any injuries.

"We were able to eventually secure many of the dogs in the kennel, and entered the residence to
check the condition of the remaining animals. The home had an extremely strong smell of urine and feces, and was in complete disarray. In the front room were four empty dog crates and eight, approx 3-5 week old pitbull puppies. The floor of the front room was covered with animal feces and there was no food or water to be found. The bathroom was completely covered with animal feces and what appeared to be feathers. There (sic.) what appeared to be a dead chicken in the bathroom tub. A front bedroom contained four cages with large chickens. This room was also in complete disarray with animal feces covering the ground. The rear bedroom containing the three dogs in the crates was boarded shut and the door had to be forced open. Despite the window being wide open, this room had the strongest odor, and was almost unbearable to be in. In addition to the three dogs and twelve small chickens it was full of trash and animal feces.

"The total animals in the apartment included:

Nine (9) adult dogs (8 pitbull breeds, one labradoodle).

Eight (8) young pitbull puppies (approx 2-5 weeks old).

Four (4) large adult Chickens.

Twelve (12) young small Chickens.

"Due to the extremely unsanitary conditions, number and variety of animals the RISPCA was
contacted to assess the health and wellbeing of the animals. SPCA Officers Warzysha and Newman responded to the scene to investigate. After performing an initial walk through of the apartment the SPCA officers advised there was probable cause to charge Ferriera with Unnecessary Cruelty to Animal for each of the dogs in the apartment (17 Counts). They advised that additional charges may be filed for the farm animals, and after the animals were evaluated by a veterinarian.

"Ferriera was taken into custody and transported to the station by Off. Pompei. SPCA officers
advised in addition to the deceased chicken, a dead pig and a large egg incubator full of eggs were was located in the kitchen. The scene was photographed by BCI Det Lt Brooks and SPCA Off. Newman. All the animals (along with the deceased animals) were seized by the SPCA. Ferriera was later interviewed by the SPCA Officers at the station."