Yesterday the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) heard oral arguments from lawyers in Commonwealth v. Maryann Russo.
In 2021, Ms. Russo was charged with animal cruelty for refusing to euthanize her 14-year-old dog Tipper.
Russo brought Tipper to a veterinarian on Christmas day 2020 after noticing a large mass on his side. The vet recommended surgery which Ms. Russo declined.
Weeks later Tipper became extremely ill and frail. The vet who initially recommended surgery now advised Russo to euthanize her dog.
When Russo refused, the vet reported her to the Animal Rescue League of Boston. That organization contacted the police. Ultimately the police obtained a warrant allowing them to seize the dog and have him put to sleep.
They also charged Russo with animal cruelty, a felony punishable (if indicted) by up to 7 years in state prison.
The trial judge dismissed the charge for lack of probable cause. A copy of the allowed motion to dismiss is attached below.
The prosecution appealed the ruling and the case eventually made it to the SJC. A decision–which will have implications for every dog owner in the state–should be rendered in the coming months.
To view the appellate filings, click here.