The investigation of an animal cruelty case by Madison and Branford police that led to the arrest of a Branford man for allegedly strangling his dog to death — also resulted in for reportedly choking his ex-girlfriend in .
that dog lovers protested at New Haven Superior Court Tuesday when Alex Wullaert, 22, appeared for arraignment on the animal cruelty charge. The case was continued to June 5.
protesters carried signs demanding justice for the dog — Desmond, a pit bull/boxer mix — and yelled "dog killer" as Wullaert fled to his car after his court appearance.
The dead dog was found in Madison dumped in a garbage bag. According to reports, an autopsy showed the dog suffered from abuse and neglect before was strangled.
Information from a computer chip recovered from the dog led investigators to Wullaert’s former girlfriend, who said she broke up with him after a domestic violence incident in which he choked her.
That resulted in Wullaert’s arrest by East Haven police on charges including strangulation, unlawful restraint, assault in the third degree, interfering with an emergency call and disorderly conduct.
The ex-girlfriend told police that after breaking up with Wullaert, she surrendered the dog to an animal shelter. But the staff of the animal shelter said Wullaert retrieved the dog from them. That led police to him and he reportedly confessed to killing the dog.
