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WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. – A couple is grieving the loss of their beloved dog Peanut after another dog allegedly attacked and killed him at a boarding facility.
But the circumstances surrounding Peanut's death at a Windsor Locks dog day care are the subject of a police investigation.
Ana and Arturo Rodriguez say Peanut was like a child to them.
"I don’t have any children of my own so I’ve invested nine years of emotions in Peanut. He was my world," Arturo Rodriguez said.
The couple told WTIC they had to fly out of state to take care of a sick loved one and decided to board Peanut at the Flying Fur near Bradley Airport. They called to check on Peanut during their trip and said they were told he was fine and getting along with the other dogs. But when they arrived home July 20, Peanut was dead.
According to a statement by Flying Fur owner Sandy Brengi, another dog that "had previously been playing nicely" with Peanut turned on the pint-sized pooch and killed him.
"There’s just nothing but unanswered questions," Ana Rodriguez said.
The Flying Fur declined an on-camera interview.
"Now that he’s gone, it’s devastating," said Arturo. They posted their story on Facebook where it’s been shared nearly 800 times. They never saw Peanut's body, and say the Flying Fur only handed the an urn with his ashes.
"I just want some closure," said Arturo. "I want to make sure this is actually my dog."
WTIC obtained a handwritten letter from the attending veterinarian. But the date says Peanut was cremated July 17th, as does the cremation certificate. That’s three days before the Rodriguez family arrived home with no word of any incident.
Flying Fur owner Sandy Brengi said in a statement that due to stress the family was going through on their trip, she thought the news of Peanut's death would, “add stress to an already very emotional situation."
"It was offensive that they cremated him and did not tell us about the incident," Ana Rodriguez said. "It leads us to believe that there were underlying reasons why they weren’t telling (us) about it."
The letter from the vet also described Peanut, a male Chihuahua, as a female Jack Russell terrier.
“In no way was this done to cover up any evidence of wrongdoing," Brengi told WTIC.
The attack apparently happened in the Flying Fur's outside play area. Staff admit the dogs were left unattended for a time while their indoor space was being cleaned.
Helpless and heartbroken with only Peanut’s collar, the urn of ashes and his dog tags, the Rodriguez family is turning to their anger into action. They are advocating to change the Connecticut statute which says, “all dogs are deemed to be personal property.”
The statute prevents owners from being compensated for pain and suffering.
"The laws need to change so no one ever has to go through this again and if it does happen, that they have proper legal recourse," said Ana.
The allegations against the Flying Fur are being investigated by the Windsor Locks Police Department, animal control and the state Department of Agriculture. Lt. Paul Cherniack of the Windsor Locks Police Department said, "If something falls under the statute of cruelty to animals we have to look at that and see if these circumstances do apply in the this case. We are keeping everything open."
The Flying Fur said they’ve adjusted their existing procedures, but didn’t elaborate specially how. The Flying Fur has been in business since 2012 caring for nearly 60,000 pets.
Statement from the Flying Fur owner Sandy Brengi: