Animal Cruelty - Wanted Person

Reference: Animal Cruelty / Wanted Person

From: Sergeant Kuffer R. Kaltenborn

Date of Release: Tuesday, 31 October, 2017

On September 22, 2017, Officers with the Portsmouth Police Department began an investigation into a report of Animal Cruelty at 886 State Street Unit #33 , Portsmouth NH.

This call began when a property manager heard an animal in distress inside Apartment #33. Unable to locate the tenant, she called police. Patrol Officers and the Portsmouth Animal Control Officer responded. Based upon their observations, exigency existed to gain entry into the unit. Once inside, officers found the source of the distress was an adult female tortoiseshell cat suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration. The animal was brought immediately to a local animal hospital for treatment where it continued to be rehabilitated over the course of the next several weeks.

The animal had no food, water or sanitary conveniences.

In furtherance of this report, police investigators examined utility records and found that no water had been utilized by this apartment since June 7th, 2017. Veterinary records also confirm the tenant owns at least one other animal. There exists concern for its welfare as well.

As a result of this investigation the Portsmouth Police Department has now issued a warrant for the arrest of:

Kenneth Hale

DOB: 07-28-1958

Last Known address 886 State Street Unit #33

White Male / 6’00 ft. 250lbs / Blond or strawberry blond hair / Blue eyes

charging him with the following crimes under RSA 644:8

Animal Cruelty (Class A Misdemeanor) for: Negligently depriving any animal of necessary care, sustenance or shelter

Animal Cruelty (Class A Misdemeanor) for: Negligently abandons or leaves an animal without adequate provisions for its care

Animal Cruelty (Class A Misdemeanor) for: Negligently causing any animal in his possession or custody to be subjected to cruelty, inhumane treatment or unnecessary suffering of any kind

 

The Portsmouth Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance with this case.

Utilizing public records and consulting with local residents, the Portsmouth Police have been unable able to locate Mr. Hale. Law enforcement data bases have also been unsuccessful at locating the suspect.

The Portsmouth Police Department is asking anyone who might know of Mr. Kenneth Hale’s current whereabouts to contact Animal Control Officer Bonnie Robinson at the Portsmouth Police Department at (603) 610-7441.

Attached to this Release are two mugshots of the suspect- the most recent having been taken in 2013.

You can also contact Seacoast Crime Stoppers by leaving an anonymous tip at (603) 431-1199 or at seacoastcrimestoppers.org. You can also text your tip to CRIMES (274637) with the letters "TIPSCS" and leave your tip that way. If your tip leads to an arrest or indictment of the individual you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

For Chief Robert Merner by

Sgt. Kuffer R. Kaltenborn

Uniformed Patrol Division

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CHIEF OF POLICE

Distribution:

Portsmouth City Manager

Portsmouth Director of Public Works

Local Media

Police Department Personnel