Charged With Animal Cruelty for Helping a Stray
A homeowner in Massachusetts found a stray dog in the neighborhood, and called animal control. They didn't come out. The dog needed medical attention, but the homeowner didn't want to touch the dog or to try to get it into a car. The homeowner gave the dog some food and water.
A few days later a police officer was in the neighborhood and saw the dog, and now the homeowner is being charged with animal cruelty. The homeowner did nothing but try to help the dog, so why would the homeowner be criminally charged?
Re: Charged With Animal Cruelty for Helping a Stray
Odds are the police officer saw the food and water dishes, and a sick dog, all in the homeowner's yard and assumed that it was the homeowner's dog. The homeowner's report to animal control may help the homeowner establish that it was a stray, and that the homeowner was trying to get it the help it needs. It would be sensible for the homeowner to consult a lawyer.