STURBRIDGE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Five puppies are dead and police say their owner is to blame after letting them live in "deplorable" conditions.
When the first German Shepherd puppy got sick in late October, prosecutors allege David Pelletier reached out to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in Grafton. They told him all of the puppies needed urgent care for parvovirus based on the symptoms he described over the phone.
But because he didn't, police say the dogs suffered and a total of 5 died.
The puppies died from Parvovirus and police say the owner didn't get them medical attention.
The 59 year-old went in front of a judge Friday on animal cruelty charges. FOX25 reached out to Pelletier, offering him to give his side of the story, but he jumped over a railing to avoid questions.
In court, prosecutors said Pelletier allowed the puppies to live in deplorable conditions.
"There were live maggots and dried bloody diarrhea and mud in their mouths and all over their bodies," said the assistant district attorney in court.
The puppies parents are still chained up outside the Sturbridge home.
"He knew they were sick. He had already lost one puppy. Was smart enough to seek advice, however he didn't follow the advice," said Sgt. Mercier.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that attracts the dog's intestinal tract.
One neighbor said Pelletier is harmless, but does have ongoing feuds with others on the street because of the condition of his property. The neighbor said that he has cleaned it up recently and "it was a lot worse."
The judge ordered Pelletier to turn over the surviving dogs while this case is being sorted out. That is still being worked out.
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