Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Ragozzino
175 Bee St.
Meriden, CT 06450
203-494-7715
September 9,2010 Bob Williams
170 Stevenson Road
Meriden, CT 06451
Dear Mr. Williams, As a resident of the great City of Meriden, I am writing this letter in hopes of initiating the process of repealing a city code that has proved itself hazardous to the health of numerous city residents. Section 136-1 outlines regulations for the slaughter of animals within city limits, and allows slaughter for personal consumption. It is this regulation that has opened the door and allowed one family to abuse this clause, to the frustration, dismay, and potential risk of neighboring residents. Residents of 181 Bee Street have routinely slaughtered numerous goats since the purchase of the property. The city code mentioned above explicitly states that slaughter may be conducted for personal consumption, however evidence exists to suggest that the resident in violation of the code is killing at a much higher rate and number than his family could possibly consume or store. While this neighbor claims he is abiding by the code regulations, it is quite clear meat is being distributed from his home. We see cars pull in the driveway, hear the bandsaw cutting and watch while large blue totes are loaded into vehicles. Additionally, while he has done his duty to conform to section 136-1 by hanging a tarp to obstruct the view from fellow neighbors, there is no question as to what is happening. The desperate cries of the goats are quickly ended with a swing of the blade, followed by a cloud of smoke which blankets the neighborhood as the fur is burned from the carcass. Many of my neighbors and I have filed numerous complaints with the Meriden Police department. Health department, USDA and have even contacted local news agencies to seek support and management of this abuse of code. In addition to the abuse of Section 136-1, there is a great deal of inhumane treatment ofthe animals, which cannot be ignored. Goats are kept tied to trees with short lengths of rope and no water in sight, only to meet their demise by the hand of our neighbor and a machete. Our neighbors and we have witnessed goats being pushed off the trucks that deliver them. only to take a nose dive into the driveway before being yanked back to their feet and hastily tied up. The living conditions of the yard are unfit and unclean for livestock, as will be detailed below. When noise complaints have been filed due to the goats' incessant bleating at night and the resident has been notified, a dull but loud blow can be heard and the goat is silenced-we can only imagine what was done to gain that result. The treatment of animals at 181 Bee Street is abusive and inhumane.