Crime & Safety

Updated: Justice For Desmond? Dogs, Dog Lovers, Protesters Gathering At Court Hope So.

Alex Wullaert, the defendant, will be appearing in court Thursday for the 16th time. Warning: The third video contains a fair amount of profanity.

Update: The judge presiding in the case has granted Wullaert accelerated rehabilitation under the pre-trial supervised diversionary program for person with psychiatric disabilities. Check back later for a full story on that decision. 

Alex Wullaert, the man accused of killing his dog Desmond, will appear in court Thursday at 10 a.m. on charges of animal cruelty and littering.

Shortly before 8 a.m., dogs, dog lovers, and protestors gathered in front of New Haven Superior Court to express their desire for justice in the case.

Goliath, Rennie, and Echo, pit bulls and mixed breed dogs, joined the crowd Thursday morning. Goliath was wearing a t-shirt that has a picture of Desmond with the words, "Justice For Desmond. No Excuse For Animal Abuse." 

The dog lovers and protesters want jail time, a felony on his record, and for him to be prohibited from ever owning an animal, ever again. Wullaert will be appearing in court fo the 16th time Thursday. Read more about the case in our earlier story.

Micah Rapini, one of the leaders of the group, said there is a stipulation that Wullaert not own animals while the court proceedings are doing on, but that the group wants that extended, forever. "We'd like that to be permanent." 

Renee Dinino, of the radio station The River 105.9, who is director of community affairs and on-air programming at Clear Channel Radio, which has 8 radio stations in Connecticut is using a loudspeaker to explain the case. She is exhorting passers by to honk in support. People are honking. 

Dinino is not only talking about the Desmond case, but also is asking people to support pending legislation that would provide for an animal advocate in court proceedings like this one. Dinino is asking people to go to the Justice For Desmond Facebook page to find out more. "This is Justice For Desmond today, find out what this all about," Dinino said. 

"Letters supporting HB6690 can still be sent to the Judiciary Committee: JUD.testimony@cga.ct.gov with HB6690 in the heading and a paragraph or two on why having an animal advocate in court is a good idea," the Justice For Desmond Facebook page says. The page has more than 6,000 supporters from around Connecticut and all over the world.

Around 9 a.m., a counter-protester stood in the street and screamed at the dozens of people gathered outside the courthouse with placards and signs. Shouting at the group that had gathered, with their dogs, he asked them why they cared more about dogs than about people. He swore at them, screaming, and called them fat cows. "Leave that kid alone!" he shouted. 

The protesters responded that they were concerned that people who abuse animals sometimes go on to abuse people, too. The man continued to scream at them, then walked across the street, where he then swore at and shouted at organizer Micah Rapini. 

She said she didn't feel threatened. 

"Well, maybe a little," she said. "But, I mean, look ... " And she turned her head in the direction of the Justice For Desmond supporters. Several supporters said they were not there to cause trouble, just to show their support for Desmond and to push for stronger laws. 

She went on to explain to the Justice for Desmond supporters that there may be others trying to disrupt the protest and to be careful, and to keep the peace. 

Christine Kiernan of Meriden is selling scarves as a fundraiser. T-shirts are being sold, also as a fundraiser, and Justice For Desmond temporary tattoos are being distributed for free. 

"We are Desmond's army," Kiernan said. 

We will keep you updated as the story develops Thursday. 

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.