Boston man is facing animal cruelty charge after police find decomposed dog during well-being check
BOSTON, November 7, 2023 – A Boston man was arraigned Friday after police discovered a decomposing dog in his Chelsea apartment when neighbors reported an odor to building management, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
MASSI ENNIS, 24, was charged in Chelsea District Court with animal cruelty. Judge Matthew Machera set bail at $500 and ordered Ennis to have no possession or contact with dogs or other domesticated animals and to return to court on December 23 for a pre-trial hearing.
At about 3:19 p.m. on October 27, Chelsea Police responded to 185 Washington Avenue for a well-being check and a report of a deceased dog. The building’s maintenance manager told police one of the tenants complained about a strong odor emanating from one of the apartments and when he went to check, he found a deceased dog in the living room.
As officers entered the apartment, they observed what appeared to be feces throughout the main entrance, kitchen, and living room, including on the couch. They also observed empty food and water bowls in the dog’s crate. As officers approached the dog, they noticed maggots and gnats around the mouth, indicating decomposition.
Police were unable to locate the owner of the apartment, later identified as Ennis, and observed his mailbox filled to capacity with mail.
Another resident told police she had not seen her neighbor in about a week but mentioned she would often hear him yell at the dog, causing it to whimper.
The building’s property manager called Ennis to inform him that maintenance and Chelsea police entered his apartment to investigate an odor and located a deceased dog.
Ennis was placed into custody on October 30 after he appeared at the property manager’s office in Quincy. Ennis told police he was subleasing his apartment to someone he met at work about a year ago and that he had not been in his apartment since October 3rd.
Police were unable to find anyone matching the name and description that Ennis provided.
“This is another tragic case of a pet suffering because its owner did not take some simple, humane steps like bringing the dog to a local shelter or a rescue organization. Pets bring many joys but they also bring many responsibilities, and the lack of responsibility here is heartbreaking,” Hayden said.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications