A Bridgeport man accused last year of trying to throw a dog off a bridge in Derby will likely receive probation after he took a plea deal in the case Tuesday (March 26).
Alexander Rosario, 32, pleaded guilty under the Alford doctrine to a single count of maliciously wounding an animal before Judge Karen Sequino at Superior Court in Derby.
Under Alford, a defendant does not admit all the facts in the case but concedes there is enough evidence for conviction at trial.
Background
Rosario was arrested last July on a single misdemeanor charge of cruelty to an animal after police said he tried to throw a Jack Russell terrier off the Hawkins Street bridge.
Police said the dog’s collar caught on a spike on the bridge, preventing the animal from falling onto Route 8 below.
Rosario was also seen kicking and slamming the dog on the ground, according to police.
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“Luckily the dog suffered no serious injuries and the defendant was arrested before any harm came to the animal,” Assistant State’s Attorney John Kerwin said in court Tuesday.
Since Rosario’s arrest the charge was upped from misdemeanor animal cruelty to maliciously wounding an animal, an unclassified felony punishable by up to five years behind bars and a $5,000 fine.
Woodbridge Animal Control, which covers Derby’s animal-related calls, took the dog to a vet, who gave it a clean bill of health.
The pooch has since been adopted and has a new home at an undisclosed location.
Guilty Plea
Rosario had applied for a diversionary program in January that could have resulted in the charges being dismissed, but was ruled ineligible, according to court records.
In court Tuesday, Rosario pleaded guilty in accordance with a deal that will see him sentenced to a suspended 18-month prison sentence and three years of probation.
Rosario’s lawyer, Public Defender Paul Eschuk, said Rosario told him he is already on probation for a previous conviction, but doesn’t anticipate further charges stemming from his arrest in Derby.
Eschuk also said in court that Rosario ​“has no recollection of the incident,” without elaborating.
Judge Karen Sequino continued Rosario’s case to June 5 for sentencing so court officials can ​“look for treatment alternatives” for Rosario, who suffers from mental health problems.
In addition, Rosario’s probation will have one special condition — that he possess no animals.
