Crime & Safety Convicted Felon Shoots Pet Dog, Claims Euthanasia: Police A Westbrook man faces cruelty to animals, weapon charges.
Wesley Bassett. (Connecticut State Police)
WESTBROOK, CT — A Westbrook man is accused of shooting and killing his pet dog on Tuesday.
State police charged Wesley Bassett, 51, with cruelty to animals, illegal discharge of a firearm, and criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition. According to police, Bassett initially denied shooting the animal, then later said he was putting it down due to its health problems.
Bassett is a convicted felon, and he is not allowed to have firearms, police said. Under Connecticut law, euthanization of dogs and cats may only be performed by licensed veterinarians in a humane manner.
State and Westbrook police went to Essex Road around 5:10 p.m. Tuesday after a veterinary hospital told them Bassett had left a voicemail after hours. The hospital employee reported calling Bassett back, and said he had made comments about putting his dog down, according to police. After police arrived and spoke to Bassett, they observed a large pool of blood near his camper. They also saw a leash and dog collar which contained blood, according to police.
After police asked about the dog’s whereabouts, Bassett reportedly told them his dog had been ill and dying and he did the
