Officer's Arrest Forces Interim Plan in Westbrook, Connecticut

WESTBROOK - Animal control issues will be dealt with in a different fashion after the town's animal control officer was arrested and subsequently suspended with pay.

Animal Control Officer Tanya Marocco, 36, of East Haddam, has worked for the town in her part-time position since 1999 and makes approximately $15,000 annually.

Following the suspension of Marocco on Dec. 20, First Selectman Noel Bishop said her duties will be temporarily shared between several people.

Bishop said Marocco was forced to turn in her town issued cellular phone which will be answered by one of the town's constables on a 24-hour basis.

Those needing assistance will be referred to Westbrook's Resident State Trooper Jeff Hart who is licensed to restrain animals.

Assistant Animal Control Officer Phil Einsmann will continue to serve in his position which consists mainly of managing the town's animal control pound.
As of Jan. 2, the pound had no animals, Bishop said.

Einsmann works in the evenings only since he has a job during the day.

If Hart or Einsmann need assistance with animal control issues, they can turn to the Towns of Essex or Killingworth for backup, Bishop said.

"This is not an ideal situation but it covers the minimum requirement we have as a community," Bishop said, adding that a permanent solution would be either to have Marocco return or appoint another person as a part-time animal control officer.

At press time, Marocco had a court date of Jan. 3 but Bishop said it is possible Marocco would seek a continuance.

Bishop said that based on the court's finding, it is possible Marocco could be removed by the Board of Selectmen.

Before that happens, Bishop said the Board of Selectmen would have an executive session with Marocco and her attorney.

"She does have certain rights," Bishop said, adding that Marocco is not a member of a union representing town employees.

Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Animal Control Supervisor Maureen Griffin claims if the town fails to remove Marocco if she is found guilty, the state department could initiate the process.

When first learning of her arrest by one of the Westbrook Resident State Troopers, Bishop said he had a conversation with Town Attorney Michael Wells and both agreed she should be suspended.

"The arrest was related to her responsibilities," as a town employee even though it was based on actions performed in another capacity.

Marocco is being accused of one count of cruelty to animals on Nov. 19 when she worked as a manager at the Valley Shore Animal Welfare League, VSAWL, on Horse Hill Road in Westbrook.

This accusation is based on an investigation conducted by Connecticut Department of Agriculture employee Todd Curry who works in the Animal Control Division.

An affidavit at Middlesex Superior Court stated that Harriet R. Strain, President of VSAWL, confirmed that Marocco was employed as a manager but was fired this past November for "not performing her duties as depicted in her contract."

VSAWL is a non-profit, no-kill shelter which houses dogs and cats and Marocco's duties as a paid manager included being "responsible for care, feeing, and welfare of all animals."

The affidavit said complaints of cruelty to animals was made after Westbrook resident Hiram Fuchs noticed a young adult female lab-mix named "Chelsea" became increasingly thin over the period of several months.

He expressed those concerns with Marocco but Fuchs noticed Chelsea's health decrease when he took her for a walk.

When Fuchs adapted Chelsea on Nov. 19 and took it to Durham veterinarian Steven Levy, the vet concluded that Chelsea suffered from kennel cough that had advanced to pneumonia, sinusitis in the nose, and severe malnutrition.

"The average pet owner should have seen the obvious physical signs of injury," Levy stated in the affidavit, adding that those signs included visible ribs, visible pelvic bones, and the dog's difficulty breathing.

While the Department of Agriculture believes the animal was mistreated, in a phone interview, Strain said this is "a case of misinformation, the charges are not fair."

Strain explains Marocco worked for several years as manager and that "she has a great love for animals, both cats and dogs."

"I do not think any cruelty to an animal was involved," Strain said, adding that a Department of Agriculture representative came to the facility and determined that "everything was in order" and that no animals were being mistreated.

However, the affidavit claims that a canine was found at the facility with kennel cough but had not yet been examined by a vet.

Curry suggested the canine be quarantined until it is seen by a vet and said that Strain agreed.

Griffin was unable to elaborate on the canine's condition since that matter is an ongoing investigation.

According to Curry, all other canines and felines at the facility appeared to be healthy.

Strain said the facility currently can house approximately seven dogs and 25 cats.

If Marocco is found guilty, she could face a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine, one year in jail, or both.

Strain said Taylor Bunnell was hired this past November as the new manager of VSAWL.

Bunnell has worked five years at the New Haven Emergency Animal Hospital and has a great deal of background regarding animals.