New Jersey

Woman Never Delivered on Puppy Adoptions: Police

Five victims paid for dogs but never received them, Connecticut police said

Police in Torrington, Connecticut, have arrested a woman who is accused of posing as a dog adoption business and taking money from people, but never actually providing the dogs.

Police started investigating Suzanne Bristol 49, of Torrington, after receiving several complaints from people in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey between September and December.

The victims said Bristol was running a dog rescue called “Just For Labs Rescue” out of her home on Berry Street, according to police. She also used the website “Adopt a Pet” to post pictures and advertise dogs that were supposed to be available for rescue upon request.

According to Bristol's case information, she is being represented by Lawerence Peck but NBC Connecticut was not able to reach the attorney as of Tuesday night. 

Five different victims gave Bristol adoption fees, which were to include a veterinary exam, and were told they would have their new dog shipped to them, according to police, but Bristol never had the dogs at her rescue.

The dogs were in shelters in other states, the photos of the dogs were from other websites, Bristol never paid the veterinary exam bills and she never shipped the victims their dogs, police allege. 

The victims made several attempts to get their money back or get the dog they had paid for, but never received anything in return, police said.

Bristol was charged with third-degree larceny and was held on a court-set $1,000 cash bond.

Bristol was set to appear in Bantam Superior Court Tuesday.

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