Animal Control Officers Suspended, Shelter Closed

Woonsocket, Rhode Island's, animal control facility is closed in what authorities say is an investigation that doesn't involve any animal abuse.

Joseph Warzycha, the state's animal control investigator who was at the shelter Monday, told The Woonsocket Call two animal control officers are being relieved of duty. The Call reported an investigation of the misappropriation of donated dog food began in November.

Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt confirmed a misappropriation investigation Monday to WLNE but declined to give more details on a personnel matter.

Ernest Finocchio, president of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said 10 dogs have been moved to three shelters, two in Providence and one in Middletown.

Finocchio and Baldelli-Hunt said there are no allegations of animal abuse at the Woonsocket shelter, which is supervised by the police department.