CT woman charged with animal cruelty for allegedly abandoning dog, tying him to tree

A Manchester woman faces charges for allegedly abandoning her dog last month in South Windsor where he was found affixed to a tree limb by his collar.

Janiya N. Bradford, 26, turned herself in on Thursday on charges of cruelty to animals and tethering a dog to a stationary object, according to the South Windsor Police Department.

Police said they had a warrant for Bradford’s arrest after her dog, a black and white pit bull named Kobe, was found abandoned off a walking path at the Neiderwerfer Wildlife Sanctuary on April 22. The animal’s collar was around his neck and a tree branch, which did not allow him to move.

Police had sought help from the public identifying whoever abandoned the pit bull. Additionally, an animal rights advocate group Desmond’s Army offered a $5,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest and prosecution.

Following her arrest, Bradford was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond. She is scheduled to be arraigned on June 5 in Manchester Superior Court.