Dracut man condemned for cruelty to animals in the death of Yorkshire Terrier

Dacut-a Dracut man was sentenced to the death of the 8-pound terrier of his roommate Seamus after a disturbing case of cruelty to animals.

Anthony Segnini, 36, was convicted of cruelty to animals after an examination by the Dracut police that he was responsible for the fatal injuries to the dog. On May 6th, Segnini owed himself to Middlesex's Supreme Court and was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison, with nine months serving and the rest was suspended for two years. If he violates the probation, he could serve the rest of his judgment.

The Dracut police authority said the case unfolded on December 11, 2023 when a resident of a Sunset Road returned home from work so as not to find Seamus and be covered with blood and feces. The dog was rushed into the Wignall Animal Hospital in Lowell, but was declared dead.

An autopsy carried out as part of the police examination showed that Seamus had suffered extensive trauma, including brain bleeding, several broken bones and a collapsed lung.

The police said that Segnini was responsible for the injuries and he was charged in September by a Grand jury of Middlesex County and charged on October 24th before Middlesex's Supreme Court.

Judge Catherine Ham, who led the case, ordered Segnini to comply with strict conditions during the probation, including a ban on holding animals, weapons or drugs. He also has to undergo a program for contraception of cruelty to animals, an anger management course, and psychological health and drug abuse ratings.

“I would like to thank the Middlesex public prosecutor for their work on this successful public prosecutor,” said Peter Bartlett, chief of police from Dracut, in a press release. “I would also like to highlight the work of the Dracut Police Detective Bureau and the animal control commissioner Colleen Morse, which could collect sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. This was a sad case, and we are proud to see the perpetrator on trial.”

The lawyer's office, Michael Manzi, who represented Segnini, refused to comment on the result of the case.

Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis or on bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.