Two people are facing animal cruelty charges in Connecticut after state police found five dead dogs, along with animal waste and garbage, at a property in Marlborough. Troy McDermott faces 11 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of tampering with physical evidence, with bond set at $60,000. Crystal Bianco turned herself in, was charged with one cruelty count, and was released on $1,000 bond. Both were arrested September 17.
The investigation began on August 31 with a health-and-safety inspection and a tip from a man arrested on an unrelated warrant. He told investigators he had been hired to feed the dogs at the property. That tip led troopers and a state agriculture animal control officer to execute a search warrant on September 2, where they seized six living dogs tied to McDermott and one belonging to Bianco.
For Suncoast residents, stories like this one stand out. Our community is built around its pets, from the dog beaches and parks in Sarasota to the snowbirds who wouldn’t travel south without their animals. Cases of animal cruelty are a reminder that neglect often hides in plain sight, and that welfare checks frequently start with a single concerned tip. If you ever suspect an animal is in danger in your neighborhood, contacting Sarasota or Manatee County Animal Services is the first step.
Have you ever called in a concern about an animal in your neighborhood? Tell us how it went.
