On Tuesday, 02/04/25, at approximately 5:10 PM, Westbrook Police and Troop F personnel responded to Essex Road in Westbrook for a well-being check. The reporting party was from a local veterinary hospital and advised that Wesley Bassett (DOB 10/02/73), of Westbrook, had left a voicemail at the veterinary hospital after hours. Upon calling Bassett back, the reporting party explained that Bassett had made comments about putting his dog down. Concerned for the animal's well-being, the reporting party contacted Troop F to conduct a wellness check.
A Westbrook Officer and a Trooper arrived at the residence and made contact with a family member, who advised that Bassett resided in a camper behind the residence. Upon making their way to the rear of the property, the Officer and Trooper were met by a male who was later positively identified as Bassett. The Westbrook Officer advised Bassett that they were present out of concern for his dog.
Upon approaching the camper, the Westbrook Officer observed a large pool of red liquid on the ground, later determined to be blood. The Officer also observed a leash and dog collar hanging outside of the camper, which also contained blood. Based upon these observations, the Officer asked Bassett where his dog was. Bassett explained to the Officer that his dog was ill and dying and that he did the "humane" thing by putting it down. Upon asking Bassett if he did this himself, Bassett explained that he could not bring himself to do it and had someone else put the dog down. Bassett did not answer when asked who had put the dog down.
Bassett then asked the Officer and Trooper to accompany him into the wood line behind the residence where he left the deceased canine. Bassett explained that he brought his dog to this area believing that coyotes would take the dog's remains. The Officer and Trooper then escorted Bassett back to the camper, at which point the Officer contacted Regional Animal Control. The responding Animal Control Officer (ACO) responded to the scene promptly. The Officer led the ACO to the initial observation of blood outside of the camper as well as the location of the deceased canine. The ACO then consulted with the Department of Agriculture and confirmed that there are no existing laws in the state of Connecticut which permit owners of domesticated animals to euthanize them in such a manner.
The Officer assisted the ACO with securing the deceased canine to be transported for a necropsy. Upon re-interviewing Bassett with the ACO present, Bassett repeatedly explained that he was doing the right thing for the dog. Bassett explained that the dog was lame due to a tick-borne illness, however lameness in and of itself is not fatal to animals. Bassett also admitted to killing the dog himself by shooting it, and that he initially lied because he knew he should not be in possession of a firearm. It was later confirmed that Bassett was a convicted felon and therefore ineligible to possess firearms.
Bassett was arrested without incident and once handcuffed agreed to be escorted to his camper by the Officer and Trooper to assist them in locating the firearm. A 9mm pistol was located within the camper, which contained four live 9mm rounds in the magazine. The firearm, magazine and ammunition were seized as evidence in this investigation. Seventy-six additional live 9mm rounds were also located and seized as evidence.
Bassett was subsequently transported to Troop F, where he was processed on the following charges:
CGS 53-203; Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
CGS 53-247(a); Cruelty To Animals
CGS 53a-217; Criminal Possession of a Firearm/Ammunition
Bassett was later released from custody on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 02/18/25. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
