Thunda, in an image shared to Derby police Facebook on April 11.
DERBY — The City of Derby is taking legal steps to take ownership of a dog whose leg was amputated after being shot off Nutmeg Avenue.
The City of Derby filed a complaint in civil court April 8 asking a judge to make Animal Control Officer Leon Sylvester the animal’s temporary caretaker pending a hearing, and to hold a hearing where the actual owners must explain why the dog shouldn’t be surrendered.
The dog is still in an animal hospital being treated for injuries and the criminal investigation is pending.
Police have accused Anthony Singletary, 27, and Perrin Stranja, 28, of being the dog’s owners — and of shooting the dog for reasons unknown around 2 a.m. Friday, April 1.
According to court documents, Stranja called police to report an injured dog in Coon Hollow Park, a field, picnic grove, and basketball court off Nutmeg Avenue leading from Hawthorne Avenue to the rear of the Derby High School/Middle School campus. At roughly the same time, police received a 911 call from Hawthorne Avenue from a person reporting the sound of gunfire and a child crying.
Police responded and found the injured dog, named “Thunda,” on the ground in front of a white Hyundai Santa Fe. Singletary, Stranja and their two young children (no ages given) in the vehicle.
Police said they found 10 nine milimeter shell casings on the ground.
Stranja and Singletary denied owning the German Shepherd, named “Thunda,” according to a police affidavit.
However, several sources told police that the family was recently made homeless and were living out of the vehicle, and that the dog was with them. Police also said Stranja had a pistol license, and that two handguns were found in her possession.
Police said the ammunition for the guns “was consistent with the casings found at the scene.” Derby police, saying probable cause had been established, then charged Singletary and Stranja with a number of crimes. Click here for a previous Valley Indy story.
Both Singletary and Stranja have not posted bail. Both are due in court May 12.
The civil court documents filed by attorney John Marini look to formally establish the city as temporarily in control of ‘Thunda,’ which is important because the criminal investigation is underway. Marini works for Marino, Zabel & Schellenberg, the Derby’s corporation counsel.
Derby police used Facebook on Monday to tell the public Thunda was recovering from his gunshot wounds and amputation. A photo of the dog was also posted.
The documents filed by Marini include medical information from VCA Shoreline Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Shelton, who performed surgery to save the dog’s life and have been caring for him. The medical staff there includes an observation that Thunda, when adopted, would probably do best in a family without children or other dogs.
The medical care Thunda has received as of last week was several pages long. It’s unclear how much it will cost, but the paperwork suggests the animal hospital is offering a discount given the circumstances.
A GoFundMe campaign set up on the behalf of the staff of the Shelton Animal Shelter has raised $18,000. Derby contracts with the City of Shelton for animal control services.
Last week RiverWalk Social, a bar and restaurant on Elizabeth Street, raised just more than $1,400 that will go toward Thunda’s recovery.
:We want to thank all of our loyal supporters as well as our new customers who came in this past Thursday and made this donation possible to help the Shelton Animal Shelter. Without you, this wouldn’t have happened,” the establishment said in a Facebook post.
RiverWalk Tavern raised more than $1,400 for Thunda's care.
