Happy Twist in Greenwich Mastiff Cruelty Story

The Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association shared a post on their Facebook page this weekend with an update on the fate of an abused Mastiff type dog who caught the hearts of thousands of GFP readers. “Duke” was adopted in May to a Greenwich man who was charged on Aug 16 by Greenwich Police on with Animal Cruelty and other charges.

The Silver Shield posted that the dog, who was “beaten down, abandoned and abused,” is now named “Henry,” and has a forever home with a Greenwich Police officer.

Officer O'Connor with Henry. Photo: Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association Facebook

Officer O’Connor with Henry. Photo: Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association Facebook

Henry with his new family. Photo: Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association Facebook

Officer O'Connor with Henry. Photo: Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association Facebook

Henry with his new family. Photo: Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association Facebook

On August 16, after an extensive investigation, Greenwich Police Dept obtained a warrant for the arrest of Christian Dilworth for Cruelty to Animals, False Statement, Interfering with an Officer, Failure to Comply with Dog Ownership and Illegal Release of a Domestic Animal.

Dilworth, 23, of 30 Brookside Drive, surrendered to Greenwich Police after learning of the warrant for his arrest.

Police say Dilworth lied when he told them the Mastiff type dog he had adopted in May was dead.

The dog was found in Bruce Park on June 3 and showed signs of having been abused.

Dilworth adopted the dog, previously named “Duke,” from a rescue organization out of Rowayton. But, according to the woman who runs that organization, the dog had been sent to her partner’s family-owned training and boarding facility in Bethany, and it was from them that Duke as adopted.

The Bethany-based dog trainers posted this photo on Facebook of Mr. Dilworth with “Duke” on May 3.

The May 3 post reads: “What a beautiful day for our pal Duke! He was adopted today by this kind gentleman, he runs a potshop (sic) down in Norwalk, he does his own training and has a behaviorist on staff! Duke took to him like he knew him all his life! Phenomenal! What a perfect match made! Congratulations Duke, we are so proud of you! We would love to thank this kind gentleman for taking Duke in with open arms and heart!”

The owner of the Rowayton rescue said that due to extenuating circumstances, Duke’s placement did not go through her usual rigorous process, and, she acknowledged, “this unfortunate adoption was the result.”

She said as a rule she conducts background checks on applicants which includes research of their address and Connecticut tax history.

She also calls their veterinarian, if they have one, and looks them up on the Connecticut Judicial branch website.

She said during the adoption process, she was out of the loop when Mr. Dilworth called the foster about “Duke.”

She said her foster handled the adoption process and interviewed Mr. Dilworth in Bethany.

If anyone had Googled Mr. Dilworth they would have found he had two arrests in Greenwich in one week in February.

He was charged with Harassment and Violating a Protective Order, which are Felonies, and on March 6 he was charged with Violating Condition of Release.

These charges, as well as the ones involving Duke are all searchable on the CT Judicial Branch website.

The Rowayton rescuer said the dog’s microchip led Greenwich Animal Control to the Baltimore Shelter “Duke” originally came from, and subsequently to her. She said she immediately wanted him back.

“They told me the person that found him was interested in adopting him,” she said, which was a reference to the family who first spotted the abandoned dog in Bruce Park and took him home. “I was grateful to them for their service,” she said of Animal Control.

Greenwich Police Silver Shield Facebook

According to the Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association, Officer Pat O’Connor cared for the dog every morning after working his midnight shift while the dog, now named “Henry,” was at Animal Control on North Street.

After weeks of doing so, Officer O’Connor welcomed Henry into his family and adopted him.

“Henry has never been happier and it certainly shows,” the Silver Shield wrote in a post on Saturday.

Dilworth appeared in Stamford Superior Court on Friday, Aug 17. His next court date is September 11, 2018.

Mr. Dilworth’s LinkedIn profile says he is currently a “Puppy Consultant” in White Plains, NY, at NY Breeder, which is a pet shop, and that he is pursuing a BS in Math in order to pursue Secondary Education as a career.

See also:

Greenwich Man Charged with Animal Cruelty after Abused Mastiff Found in Bruce Park

Local Man Arrested Twice in One Week by GPD