CT Man Gets Prison Time for Animal Neglect

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A man accused of years of animal neglect has been sentenced to serve 2½ years in prison.


Paul Novicki told Superior Court Judge Roland Fasano that he never intentionally hurt an animal. And Fasano said he took into account a traumatic brain injury that impairs the 63-year-old Novicki's judgment and reasoning.

But Fasano said Friday that he couldn't overlook Novicki's long pattern of animal abuse and grant Novicki's family's request for no prison time.

A prosecutor described Novicki as "sadistic." Animal control officers have seized hundreds of animals from Novicki's property since 2003, including horses, cattle, mules, chickens and rabbits.
An equine veterinarian told Fasano it was the worst case of neglect she'd ever seen. She said the horses were all diseased and hungry.


Fasano gave Novicki an eight year sentence, suspended after 2½ years.