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2 individuals reportedly tried to prevent Fla. FFs from extinguishing a shed fire

The fire led to discovery of malnourished dogs, and the pair was arrested for animal cruelty

Zach Murdock
Hartford Courant

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Bridgeport man and Florida woman were arrested Tuesday after emergency personnel discovered two malnourished dogs and the remains of three more inside a burned shed in the man’s backyard.

The pair tried to stop firefighters and police from entering the backyard when they first responded to extinguish the flaming shed but could not prevent officials from finding the animals.

David Valle, 38, was charged with reckless burning, breach of peace, second-degree threatening and interfering with police officers, officials said Wednesday. Sherry Yasin, 39, of Kissimmee, Florida, was also charged with interfering with police.

Valle also was charged with two counts of animal cruelty but more charges could be filed pending the outcome of necropsies on the dog remains found in the shed, Bridgeport emergency management chief Scott Appleby said.

Firefighters were called at about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday to the 600 block of Wayne Street for a report of heavy black smoke and a possible burning shed in a backyard but immediately requested police backup when they were met by a pair of threatening individuals, Appleby said.

Valle was “visibly upset” that firefighters were on the property, and both he and Yasin tried to keep police and the fire inspector from entering the backyard to see the scene and extinguish the fire, Appleby said.

“While in the back-yard area, officers observed two dogs malnourished, visibly cold, shivering on the rear deck of the location with no water or blankets and the other dog was in a cage with feces,” Appleby said. “Upon further inspection, officers and the Fire Inspector observed the remains of three additional dogs that were deceased” in the burned out shed.

Valle was held on $20,000 bond and Yasin was released on a written promise to appear.

The incident remains under investigation and more charges may follow, Appleby said.

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(c)2020 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)

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