On Oct. 22, the State’s Supreme Court decided against taking up Annie and Neil Hornish’s appeal of the decision to euthanize their pitbull Dexter, who fatally mauled 95-year-old Janet D’Aleo in 2019. The decision effectively seals the dog’s fate.
“The Town of Suffield is currently waiting for all of the final appeal periods to run before taking further action,” said Suffield’s First Selectman Colin Moll, in a statement provided to Inside Investigator. “Once those periods expire, the dog will be euthanized.”
Although the Connecticut Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort, meaning there is no further court to appeal to, the Hornishes could request the Supreme Court’s reconsideration of the case, though it’s a long shot. Thus far, no motion has been filed.
Annie told Inside Investigator that she and Neil have been in communication with town officials to try and see Dexter one last time, but that the town has made clear to them they will only allow the two to attend the dog’s euthanization under one condition.
“The town has said that we can see Dexter at his killing only if we sign a non-disparagement contract with the town,” said Annie. “We have refused on principle.”
Annie said the town, “will not provide us any proof of life — no videos or photos — and will not explain why.” The agreement would be similar to an NDA but even stronger, because it would mean any and all public discourse about Dexter’s case would be forbidden, “even if we state the truth,” said Annie.
“It is meant to totally silence us on the entire subject matter,” Annie said. “The town is working hard to silence us on speaking out about Dexter’s case, but the opposite will be happening. We will use it to prevent future government incompetencies and abuses of power.”
Dexter has been confined at River Valley Hospital since the incident occurred in November 2019. Suffield’s animal control officer originally ruled that the dog should be put down, a decision that the Hornishes have appealed every step of the way, first appealing the decision before the Department of Agriculture, then in the Superior and Appellate courts. Despite the repeated losses, Annie still insists upon Dexter’s innocence.
“The town is using hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in lawyers’ fees to essentially cover up the town’s illegal behavior, an improper police investigation, and a grossly unfair administrative hearing by CT DoAG, in keeping with its reputation as a kangaroo court,” said Annie.
While the battle for Dexter’s life is all but concluded, Moll indicated that the battle over who will foot the costs of sheltering the dog for the duration of litigation still continues. In May, the Superior Court ruled that the Hornishes were liable to pay $76,215.34 in unpaid fees, as well as an additional $66.36 a day in fees from the date of Feb. 1, 2025, onwards. The Hornishes’ filed an appeal of the decision on May 9.
“The Hornishes are currently appealing the decision of the Superior Court relative to the fees for the dog’s care, which the Court previously determined are owed to the Town,” said Moll. “We look forward to that matter being resolved in the near future so that this ordeal can finally be over.”
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It’s about time this ends.