Boston Man Facing Animal Cruelty Charges After Dead Dog Found In Home

BOSTON, MA — A man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after police found one dead dog and six others in poor condition inside a South Boston apartment, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office announced.

Lester James, 39, was charged with seven counts of animal cruelty following his arrest last week. Judge Margaret Albertson set bail at $5,000 and ordered James not to possess or care for any animals and to undergo a mental health evaluation. He is due back in court on Tuesday, Oct. 20, for a pre-trial hearing.

Police responded at approximately 11:56 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, to an apartment on Old Colony Avenue after James called 911 to report that one of his dogs had died inside its cage, prosecutors said. James reportedly told officers he had left the apartment at approximately 2:30 p.m. the previous day and returned to find the pit bull dead and another dog with a swollen face.

Upon entering the apartment, officers reportedly found an emaciated white pit bull chained to a kitchen wall with piles of feces and urine stains on the floor around it. In another room, officers found a dead pit bull named Gwap lying inside a cage that appeared to contain vomit and feces. Police said there were no bowls of food or water inside the cage, while a half-broken broomstick was also found inside.

Another cage in the room contained three younger pit bulls that all appeared emaciated and were surrounded by two empty bowls, prosecutors said. One of the dogs appeared to have a limp and was unable to walk on its left paw. Officers also reportedly found another pit bull and a Chihuahua in a separate room that both appeared malnourished.

James told officers he was keeping the dogs in the apartment for breeding purposes, according to prosecutors. He also reportedly said Gwap had killed and eaten his Yorkshire Terrier approximately two weeks earlier and that a fourth puppy had died after being stepped on by his son. James did not answer when officers asked whether the animals had received veterinary care.

Boston Animal Care and Control responded to the apartment and removed the six surviving dogs along with the deceased pit bull. James told police he did not know how the broken broomstick ended up inside the cage and suggested someone had been breaking into the apartment, prosecutors said. Officers reportedly found no signs of forced entry.

Animal control officials determined the dogs would likely require treatment because of their conditions and brought them to MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center. James was subsequently arrested at the apartment.

As of Sunday, Boston Animal Care and Control said the surviving dogs were under-conditioned, and several had scratches, bites, and other injuries of varying severity. Officials said their overall conditions were improving and they remained under veterinary care through the city and MSPCA-Angell.

"The City of Boston is grateful to our partners at MSPCA-Angell and the dedicated team at Boston Animal Care and Control for their tireless efforts to provide compassionate care, shelter, and support to the animals rescued," the department said in a statement. "Their partnership and commitment is essential to ensuring our city's animals receive the care they deserve."

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