He Kept Dozens OF Dogs in Filth—Now He Wants Them Back. We Can’t Let That Happen.
In a case that has shocked even seasoned rescuers, authorities in Oxford, Connecticut, discovered more than 30 dogs living in squalor inside a flea-infested home. Many of the animals were malnourished, suffering from open sores, blindness, and untreated illnesses. Now, the man responsible—facing 21 counts of animal cruelty—is fighting to get 22 of those dogs back.
We cannot let this happen. These dogs deserve safety, not a return to pain and neglect.
👉 Sign the petition to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership for this man.
A House of Horror for Innocent Dogs
The investigation began when local animal control officers entered the home of John Artese on Little Punkup Road. What they found was heartbreaking: 33 dogs trapped in filthy conditions, their bodies covered in flea bites, their eyes cloudy from untreated infections, and some barely able to walk. Rats scurried across the floor. The air reeked of waste and neglect.
One officer reported that fleas were literally eating the dogs alive. Several had untreated wounds, while others were slowly going blind. A veterinarian confirmed the dogs’ dire conditions were caused by the unsanitary environment they were trapped in—and the failure of their owner to provide even basic medical care.
Despite these facts, Artese went before a judge in July and made a shocking request: he wanted 22 of the dogs returned to him.
“They Were My Babies,” He Claimed
In an emotional plea during a virtual hearing, Artese insisted the animals were his “family.” He admitted the house was “a mess” and acknowledged a flea infestation, but claimed he had nearly resolved the problem. “I would never endanger their health and endanger their lives,” he said.
But the facts paint a different picture.
According to the police report, the remaining 22 dogs were only seized after follow-up visits confirmed that every single one was still suffering from illnesses and poor living conditions. Fleas, malnutrition, untreated wounds, and lack of veterinary attention were widespread.
“These dogs are not just pieces of property—these are living beings,” said Judge Yonatan Zamir, who wisely chose to keep the animals in municipal custody, at least for now.
👉 Sign the petition to ensure these dogs are never returned to the man who failed them.
What’s at Stake
Oxford town attorney Kevin Condon made it clear: “He cannot take care of 30 dogs, not financially, not physically, not any other way. To return them to Mr. Artese would be a travesty.”
It’s not just about one bad decision. It’s about a pattern of neglect, and a man who appears unwilling—or unable—to meet even the most basic standards of animal care.
The dogs were found in such dire condition that 10 were immediately surrendered to animal control. But the other 22 endured even longer in the chaos. If allowed to return to Artese’s home, they would likely face the same pain, illness, and suffering all over again.
That’s why it’s critical that sentencing in this case include a permanent ban on animal ownership. These dogs have suffered enough.
👉 Sign the petition to protect these dogs—and prevent future cruelty.
They Can’t Speak—But We Can
These animals didn’t choose this life. They didn’t choose to live among rats and fleas, or to go blind without treatment, or to suffer from open wounds without relief. Now, the justice system must speak for them.
Animal cruelty must come with consequences. And that starts by ensuring those responsible can never do it again.
If you agree that no one with a history of animal cruelty should ever be allowed to reclaim their victims, or own pets in the future, speak up now.
👉 Sign the petition. Demand a permanent animal ownership ban—and justice for these dogs.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- Couple Convicted of Cruel Ear-Cropping Operation — Advocates Demand Lifetime Bans for All Offenders
- Greyhound Racing Exposed: Why Congress Must Ban Betting on This Cruel Sport
- Albuquerque Man With Violent Past Accused of Killing Two Dogs After Family Dispute
- Texas Ranch Cruelty: Dogs Found Starving, Burned, and Abandoned
- “They Left Me Behind”: Starving Dog, Seven Puppies, and Elderly Woman Abandoned After Eviction
