New charges in animal cruelty case spanning three RI communities

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@AmandaPittsTV

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — One of the men connected to an animal cruelty case spanning three communities appeared before a judge Thursday.

Daniel Guerriero, 32, is accused of animal cruelty for the operation police say he was running out of his car wash in North Providence.

“He was conspiring with another defendant in a case that we have out of Smithfield, Michael Williams, to perform surgical procedures, cropping the ears of multiple dogs at a car wash that he owns,” said RISPCA Special Agent Earl Newman.

Michael Williams was one of two men arrested in March for keeping hundreds of animals in squalor in Williams’ home in Smithfield. Williams and the other suspect, Michael Ramos, were both charged with 25 counts of animal cruelty.

Police say it’s the investigation into Williams that led them to Guerriero and Kayla Card, both suspected of cropping the ears of dogs at local car washes. Card, at one on Taunton Avenue in East Providence, and Guerriero, committing the crime at his own business.

“Based on his contacts in this bully breeding community, he was able to set up appointments for Williams to perform these surgical procedures for several clients at his car wash,” said Newman.

Guerriero pleaded not guilty to the charges of Unlicensed Practice of Veterinary Medicine, Unnecessary Cruelty to Animals, and Conspiracy.

He’s due back in court October 17.

(c) WLNE-TV 2018