Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Search for missing dog leads to animal cruelty arrest; 27 dogs rescued

Search for missing dog leads to animal cruelty arrest; 27 dogs rescued
Animal Control Officers from several towns worked together rescuing 27 dogs March 18 in Winsted.
Photo by Jennifer Almquist

Updated March 26, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

WINSTED — An organized search for a missing dog and an investigation by Winchester Police Department, Harwinton Regional Animal Control and Suffolk County New York District Attorney’s office led to the recovery of more than two dozen dogs in the early hours of March 18.

A press release later that day stated two warrants were served to Sarah Smolak at her Winsted home. She was arrested on two counts of cruelty to animals and transferred to Torrington Superior Court to beheld on $150,000 bond.

In a follow up interview, Winchester Chief of Police Chris Ciuci said, “The number of dogs rescued is 27. The teams are still doing their work here. There were dogs loose, there were dogs in crates.”

“The search warrant is sealed so we can’t share any details associated with those investigations, or that search,” said Ciuci.

Each rescued dog will receive veterinary care and will be tagged and documented.Photo by Jennifer Almquist

Marshmallow, the missing dog that prompted the search, was not among the 27 dogs rescued on March 18.

The next morning, a second individual turned himself in and was held on $75,000 bond. WPD released a statement March 19:

“This morning David Reid turned himself in at police headquarters and was arrested on an outstanding warrant related to the case referenced above. The warrant is part of theon-going cruelty to animals investigation.”

As for the 27 dogs rescued on March 18, Chief Ciuci said, “Every dog is being tagged, documented, will be examined by a vet, is being cared for, housed and treated, mostly by Harwinton Regional Animal Control. They had to enlist the help of the Torrington Animal Control.”

The investigation remains open and individuals with relevant information are asked to contact WPD at (860) 379-2721.

Great Dane was among the 27 rescued dogs in Winsted March 18.Photo by Jennifer Almquist

Latest News

Drivers urged to use caution as Kent road work begins Monday

Routine road work is scheduled to begin on several roads Monday, June 8, in Kent.

Ruth Epstein

KENT – Drivers in Kent should use caution Monday, June 8, as routine road maintenance is scheduled to begin on several roads. Highway crews are preparing for annual chip-sealing projects, a process used to repair or extend the lifespan of paved roads.

The following roads are scheduled for treatment:

Keep ReadingShow less
Man drowns after kayak overturns in North Canaan pond

A Lifestar helicopter prepares to land after a fatal drowning in North Canaan on Saturday, June 6.

John Coston

NORTH CANAAN – An adult man drowned Saturday afternoon, June 6, after a kayak overturned in a private pond behind Freund’s Farm Market and Bakery.

The man was the sole occupant of the kayak, according to officials. DEEP Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) responded along with North Canaan emergency responders and Connecticut State Police Troop B.

Keep ReadingShow less

Yerger Johnstone

Yerger Johnstone

SHARON — Yerger Johnstone, former managing director in the mergers and acquisitions department at Morgan Stanley and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, died on April 19, 2026, in Chelmsford, England. He was 86.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, on March 7, 1940, Mr. Johnstone was the son of architect Henry Inge Johnstone, architect, and Kathleen Yerger Johnstone, the noted nature writer and civic leader after whom Alabama’s state seashell, Johnstone’s Junonia, is named. He graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1958, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of the South at Sewanee in 1962, and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1964.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Richard R. Stover

Richard R. Stover

WEST CORNWALL — Richard R. Stover, 82, of West Cornwall, died peacefully at Noble Horizons on May 26, 2026.

Son of the late Robert and Leona (Heinbockel) Stover, Rick was born Feb. 6, 1944 in Edina, Minnesota. He attended the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in Economics and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Keep ReadingShow less

Floyd Irving Isham

Floyd Irving Isham

SHARON — Floyd Irving Isham Jr., 87, a longtime area resident, died Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Sharon Health Care Center in Sharon. Mr. Isham worked for the Tri-Wall Container Corp. in Wassaic, New York, for fifteen years and also worked as a self-employed private caretaker for over twenty-five years, caring for local estates in Shekomeko, Pine Plains and Ancramdale, New York, prior to his retirement.

Born Aug. 25, 1938, in St. George, Vermont, he was the son of the late Floyd Irving and Hazel (Thompson) Isham, Sr. Following his high school years, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1958 until his honorable discharge in 1961. Mr. Isham also served in the Vermont National Guard. On Aug. 11, 1990, in Dover Plains, New York, he married Nancy L. Cross. Mrs. Isham died on July 8, 2005.

Keep ReadingShow less

Pauline King Garfield

Pauline King Garfield

EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village. She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan,in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.

Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.