April 29, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chief Erik Costa, 860-638-4100

Press Release - Animal Cruelty at 205 Middle Street

On February 6, 2023, Middletown Police Animal Control Officers were called to 205 Middle Street for the wellbeing check of four horses and one pony on the property. The property has a barn for boarding large animals and a residential home that is not associated with the boarding business. It was determined that the horses and pony did not have sufficient food and supplies. The parties responsible for the animals were identified as out of state residents who are not affiliated with the property. They initially complied with care instructions but Animal Control Officers continued to monitor the wellbeing of the animals periodically.

On Wednesday April 26, 2023, the Animal Control Unit received information from a concerned citizen that no one had been on the property to care for the animals since at least Sunday April 23, 2023 and the horses and pony were outside the entire time. The responding ACO discovered that the horses and pony were in fact left outside and had no access to food or water for at least three days. They were found to be in poor condition and undernourished. The ACO determined that there was actually no food on the property for the animals and the condition of the barn was unsanitary. The ACO, with assistance from the resident on the property, provided the animals with water and cleaned their stalls. The ACO also had hay donated from multiple sources in the community to feed the animals. The investigation continued and Animal Control regularly checked on the animals.

On Friday April 28, 2023, an Animal Control Officer and a Middletown Patrol Officer responded to the property to check on the animals. It was evident that the lack of care continued and no one had been on the property to provide for them. While on scene, three males arrived on the property who claimed to be responsible for the care of the animals.

Based on the condition of the animals prior to ACO intervention and the unsanitary conditions of the property, all three males were arrested and each charged with five counts of Animal Cruelty. They were transported to Middletown Police Headquarters for processing and identified as:

• Ricardo Javier Castellano (25-years-old) of 123 Abbey Street, Springfield, MA
• Erik Hernandez (19-years-old) of 67 Pembroke Street, Springfield, MA
• Luis Xavier Ortiz-Santiago (20-years-old) of 29 Spring Street, Springfield, MA

Castellano, Hernandez, and Ortiz-Santiago were released on a $25,000 non-surety bond. They are scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on May 12, 2023.

This remains an ongoing investigation. For now, Middletown Police Animal Control Officers will care for the horses and pony, with the assistance of local residents.