Crime & Safety
Investigation Into Desmond's Abuse and Murder Leads To Domestic Violence Charges Against Branford Man
Alex Wullaert, 22, arrested by East Haven Police and charged with strangulation, unlawful restraint, assault in third degree, interfering with emergency call and disorderly conduct.
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. Animal rights activists and animal lovers are planning another protest on that day.
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Desmond, a mixed breed pit bull/boxer, was found in Madison wrapped in plastic bags after he was dumped in a lake. 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.
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That resulted in Wullaert’s arrest by East Haven police. Wullaert was charged with 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. According to an affidavit filed in New Haven Superior Court, he confessed to killing the dog.
