Animal Rights Group Retains Lawyer in Middletown Dog Stabbing Case

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Desmond’s Army, an animal law advocacy group, has retained an advocate attorney under the Connecticut Desmond’s Law in the case of a Middletown man charged in the fatal stabbing of a pit bull named Appa.

Aaron Scott Lehet, 37, of Spring Street, faces a felony charge of malicious wounding or killing of an animal in the first degree in connection with the July 10 incident. He also faces a failure-to-appear charge, according to Middletown Police Department arrest records.

Lehet is being held on $80,000 bond. His next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 9 at Middletown Superior Court, according to the judicial system database.

Middletown police and animal control officers responded to a 911 call at a residence July 10 after a woman reported that her pit bull had been stabbed in the chest with a large kitchen knife, according to case records.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit sworn by Middletown Senior Animal Control Officer Gail Petras, Lehet initially claimed he acted in self-defense. Investigators noted that he had only a minor cut on his hand, according to an account of the affidavit published by the advocacy group.

The affidavit says that Lehet brought the knife into the room and stabbed Appa after the dog lunged to defend its owner. Appa sustained severe injuries and was humanely euthanized, according to Desmond’s Army.

The charge is brought under Connecticut General Statutes Section 53-247(b)(1), which addresses malicious wounding or killing of an animal in the first degree.

Desmond’s Law allows courts to appoint advocates to represent the interests of animals in certain cruelty cases. Desmond’s Army said it is tracking the case.