Latest news with #Suffield
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Vegan animal rights activists hit with new punishment after pit bull mauled woman, 95, to death
The owners of a dog who mauled a woman to death have been ordered to pay more than $76,000 in boarding fees amid a protracted legal battle over euthanizing the canine. Vegan rights activists Neil and Annie Hornish have been fighting in court to keep their pit bull/pointer mix named Dexter alive for more than five years. Dexter allegedly attacked and mauled 95-year-old Janet D'Aleo when the woman came to the couple's Suffield, Connecticut, home to visit Annie's mother on November 6, 2019, according to Inside Investigator. D'Aleo died from her injuries and the the state medical examiner ruled that her death was caused by dog bites, reported CT Insider. Dexter was immediately impounded and Suffield's animal control ordered that he be put down. The Hornishes - animal rights activists and vegans for more than 20 years - appealed the ruling and have been battling it out in court to keep their dog alive. However, in 2022 the couple stopped paying boarding to the facility where Dexter was being held and filed a lawsuit against the town and River Valley Animal Center over the costs. The town countersued, seeking $76,215 in unpaid boarding fees plus a per diem amount of $66.36, equal to the Dexter's daily boarding fees, accruing since February 1. On May 5, Superior Court Judge Claudia Baio ruled in favor of the town ordering them to cough up the fees with post-judgment interest at 7.5 percent per year. 'The court finds that the better and weightier evidence supports the counterclaim plaintiff's claim for damages, and hence, the counter claim plaintiff has met its burden of proof,' Baio said. Without any interest, more than $6,000 in fees would have accrued since February 1, CT Insider found. Annie told the local news outlet that they plan to appeal the judge's ruling that they must pay the fees. She believes the town is charging them an astronomical rate to force their hand and it sets a bad precedent for others who want to try to fight to keep their pets alive. Their visitation with Dexter was revoked in 2021 overs comments they allegedly made towards Suffield's Animal Control Officer Ryan Selig. Suffield First Selectman Colin Moll issued a statement saying his was 'thrilled' with the ruling. 'The taxpayers of Suffield deserve to be made whole,' Moll said. 'We are one step closer to the conclusion of this long and unnecessary saga.' The Hornishes have argued their dog's life should be sparred because he was provoked when D'Aleo's health care aide hitting him with a stool. They have appealed their case up to the state appellate court, which has yet to make a ruling. The Hornishes reached a $2 million settlement in a lawsuit filed against them by the D'Aleo's after the attack.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Owners vow new appeal in case of CT dog that killed an elderly woman
Despite a judge's decision this week levying a $76,000 judgment, the six-year-long court battle over the Connecticut dog that killed an elderly woman is on track to continue even as total expenses run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The owners of Dexter, a pit bull/pointer, say they'll fight to keep from paying the dog's boarding costs and will continue blocking the town of Suffield plan to put him to death. Annie Hornish did not cite a specific figure on Wednesday, but said 'This has cost us quite a bit financially and emotionally.' Even so, she and her husband, Neil, intend to take their case to Appellate Court, where they'll ask a judge to overturn Monday's Superior Court decision against them. 'We trust the Appellate Court will make the right decision,' she told The Courant. The town, meanwhile, has indicated it might pursue a case against the Hornishes for its attorneys' fees. 'The litigants have dragged this case on for far too long and unnecessarily delayed justice. While the town is now able to collect the boarding fees owed, the town will explore additional remedies to make the taxpayers whole for legal expenses.' First Selectman Colin Moll said in a statement. The town also will continue seeking to have Dexter euthanized. 'The Board of Selectmen is committed to taking all necessary legal steps in this matter to protect the public from this dangerous dog until justice can be carried out,' Moll said. The Hornishes, who own a Thrall Avenue home with more than 50 acres, have been in court with the town since soon after Dexter killed Janet D'Aleo, a 95-year-old friend visiting their house. The town seized the dog and had it in a private kennel, where it has been ever since. The Hornishes settled a lawsuit from D'Aleo's estate for $2 million, but have maintained that the town didn't adequately investigate whether the woman's death was a result of Dexter's attack. They've suggested D'Aleo's health aide may have provoked the dog, and at various times during litigation have suggested D'Aleo may have suffered a medical crisis. But the town and its animal control officer say the dog is a danger. The Hornishes have been in extended litigation to block the euthanasia order. In a previous decision, Judge Matthew Budzik concluded the Hornishes haven't been realistic about the dog's culpability. 'The Hornishes have refused to take responsibility for Dexter's actions, or acknowledge the severity of his conduct. Indeed, the Hornishes have repeatedly sought to downplay Dexter's conduct and to place blame for Ms. D'Aleo's death elsewhere. The factual record in this matter renders such justifications, in the court's view, disingenuous at best,' Budzik wrote. Annie Hornish, a former state legislator who has served as Connecticut director for the Humane Society of the United States, said she and her husband have two offers of secure sanctuaries that would accept Dexter for free. One is in Connecticut, the other is 13-acre property in upstate New York where Diana Urban, another former state lawmaker, keeps rescued animals. Both Hornish and Urban are animal rights activists who contend there's no need to kill the dog, even though the town and the state Department of Agriculture have recommended it. Annie Hornish said Dexter is about 9 years old. The dog has been in a kennel since November of 2019; the Hornishes covered the first two years' expense, which totaled about $40,000, then refused to pay more. Their argument is that the town should release the animal to a qualified sanctuary, and that charging dog owners to board their pet while a euthanasia appeal is underway would discourage most people for pursuing such an appeal. Monday's court decision holds the couple liable for about $76,000 in kennel costs since 2021, and warns of a 7.5% annual interest charge on whatever goes unpaid. In addition, the court said the Hornishes are responsible for roughly $66 a day in kennel costs since Feb. 1. That comes to about another $6,000 so far, with the potential to tack on an additional $15,000 or so before the year ends.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU's Omnibus directive needs careful consideration, says ACCA
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has highlighted the necessity for careful evaluation of the European Union's (EU) 'Omnibus' directive. Announced in February 2025, the directive proposes changes to the European Green Deal, aiming to reduce the number of companies required to publish sustainability details and delay implementation by a year. The proposals also aim to decrease the number of companies needing to audit their supply chains and limit information required from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). As a result, around 80% of businesses will no longer fall under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Instead, compliance requirements will primarily affect the largest corporations, given their significant social and environmental impact. ACCA said that it supports the directive's intent to save costs, reduce burdens on SME's, and enhance competitiveness. However, Mike Suffield, ACCA's policy and insights director, stressed the need for clarity and consistency. He said: 'While we welcome the intent of the directive, businesses need consistency, clarity, and certainty; the Omnibus Directive needs careful consideration to ensure that it delivers on these requirements, while acknowledging the need to drive climate action.' The global accountancy body added that it has supported robust sustainability reporting frameworks and voluntary disclosures globally. It is assisting accountants and businesses with understanding and complying with the CSRD. ACCA also underscored the importance of aligning European sustainability reporting with IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards to prevent regulatory divergence and minimise global market friction. Suffield added that: 'ACCA will be analysing the Omnibus Directive in greater detail to fully understand the impact on our global membership and our partners. We stand ready to assist the EU in their development and implementation of proposals, and to ensure globally consistent and clear sustainability reporting requirements for business.' Meanwhile, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales views the Omnibus proposals as a significant retreat from original sustainability reporting goals. "EU's Omnibus directive needs careful consideration, says ACCA " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU's Omnibus directive needs careful consideration, says ACCA
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has highlighted the necessity for careful evaluation of the European Union's (EU) 'Omnibus' directive. Announced in February 2025, the directive proposes changes to the European Green Deal, aiming to reduce the number of companies required to publish sustainability details and delay implementation by a year. The proposals also aim to decrease the number of companies needing to audit their supply chains and limit information required from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). As a result, around 80% of businesses will no longer fall under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Instead, compliance requirements will primarily affect the largest corporations, given their significant social and environmental impact. ACCA said that it supports the directive's intent to save costs, reduce burdens on SME's, and enhance competitiveness. However, Mike Suffield, ACCA's policy and insights director, stressed the need for clarity and consistency. He said: 'While we welcome the intent of the directive, businesses need consistency, clarity, and certainty; the Omnibus Directive needs careful consideration to ensure that it delivers on these requirements, while acknowledging the need to drive climate action.' The global accountancy body added that it has supported robust sustainability reporting frameworks and voluntary disclosures globally. It is assisting accountants and businesses with understanding and complying with the CSRD. ACCA also underscored the importance of aligning European sustainability reporting with IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards to prevent regulatory divergence and minimise global market friction. Suffield added that: 'ACCA will be analysing the Omnibus Directive in greater detail to fully understand the impact on our global membership and our partners. We stand ready to assist the EU in their development and implementation of proposals, and to ensure globally consistent and clear sustainability reporting requirements for business.' Meanwhile, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales views the Omnibus proposals as a significant retreat from original sustainability reporting goals. "EU's Omnibus directive needs careful consideration, says ACCA " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
