New Haven man charged with animal cruelty in puppy's death
A New Haven man was charged with animal cruelty following the death of a 6-month-old puppy, New Haven police said.
The New Haven Police Department Animal Control was contacted by a local veterinarian at the end of March 2025 regarding suspicion that the puppy had been abused or neglected.
The puppy’s owner, 24-year-old N’Quan Brown, brought her in for an examination after the puppy could not stand, police said. The puppy, named Bella, also reportedly was not eating or moving.
According to police, Brown claimed he was giving the puppy a bath at home when the handheld shower fell down and hit Bella in the head. It was after Bella wasn’t acting normally that Brown and his girlfriend took the puppy to the animal hospital for evaluation, officials said.
Trauma vets examined Bella and found she was suffering severe wounds, a fracture to one of her legs, along with other severe injuries that were older, according to officials. Despite efforts by hospital staff, Bella died later that day.
Brown was charged with animal cruelty resulting in death, and he turned himself in to the New Haven police on Feb. 24.
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