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  • February 19, 2019

Fairhaven Man Charged with Abusing Dog

July 9, 2018 by Benjamin Paulin

Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Lieutenant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 9, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Fairhaven Man Charged with Abusing Dog

Fairhaven Police have charged a man with abusing Bella, a female Portuguese Water Dog. (Photo courtesy of Fairhaven Police)

FAIRHAVEN — Lt. Kevin Kobza reports that the Fairhaven Police Department has charged a man with abusing his dog and burning the pet with a hot poker.

PAULO RAPOSO, AGE 45, of FAIRHAVEN was charged with Cruelty to Animals. He is expected to be arraigned in Third District Court on Thursday, Aug. 9.

On June 18, Fairhaven Police were called to Morton Street after receiving a report that RAPOSO had been allegedly abusing his dog, a female one and a half year old Portuguese Water Dog named Bella.

It was reported to police that RAPOSO frequently kicked and dragged the dog. He also allegedly burned the dog with a hot poker.

Fairhaven Animal Control Officer Terry Cripps responded with police and removed Bella from the home after observing signs of abuse.

As part of a subsequent investigation, Bella was taken to a local veterinary hospital for examination. It was confirmed that the burns on the dog were consistent with being deliberate in nature.

Through the investigation, it was determined that RAPOSO would be charged and a criminal complaint was filed today. He was issued a summons to appear in court.

Bella is currently safe, and in the care and custody of the Town of Fairhaven.

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: animal abuse, animal cruelty, Bella, dog abuse, fairhaven, Fairhaven Animal Control Officer, fairhaven police department

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The Fairhaven Police Department is dedicated to providing the citizens, business owners and visitors to Fairhaven a safe and pleasant environment in which to live, work and enjoy the amenities of this historic town.

Fairhaven has a year round population of just over 16,000 and has 12.53 square miles of land area, plus over 17 miles of coast line. The town is situated on Buzzard’s Bay on the south coast of Massachusetts and shares a busy commercial harbor with the city of New Bedford.

The Fairhaven Police Department employs 42 full-time and 6 part-time personnel. We have 31 full-time and 4 permanent/intermittent officers. There are 6 full-time communications personnel and one clerk as well as a part-time custodian.

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Fairhaven Police Awarded Grant to Enhance Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety

The Fairhaven Police Department was recently awarded a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research – Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/OGR/HSD) to improve traffic safety on local roads for pedestrians and bicyclists.

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