LYNETTE AYALA charged with animal cruelty for shooting a neighbor’s dog with a pellet gun

6 minutes ago2 min read

- Massachusetts, USA -

Detectives with the New Bedford Police Department have charged 32-year-old LYNETTE AYALA with animal cruelty.

The charges stem from an incident that took place on March 1, 2025, when officers responded to a home on Clifford Street and met with a woman who reported that her dog was possibly shot with a pellet gun.

WJAR identified the dog as a 1-year-old female French Mastiff named Zuri and her guardian, the woman who called the police, as Yolanda Todman.

Zuri was playing in the fenced-in yard of her home when she was shot. Security cameras from Ms. Todman’s home captured the sound of two loud bangs. Zuri began limping in pain, she was visibly injured, and in the video published by WJAR she could be heard crying.

After an investigation into the incident, AYALA was charged with animal cruelty but police tell me she was not arrested.

Ms. Todman explained to WJAR that she had casual interactions with AYALA but never expected her to do this. She said: “I don’t have any problems around here with anybody. So I just don’t know why.”

Zuri is still in pain and the medical expenses are costly. A member of Zuri’s family has created a GoFundMe to help cover Zuri’s medical care. At the time of writing, $2,095 has been raised.

New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira said: “Animal cruelty is a serious offense, and we will not tolerate it in our community. Thanks to the swift work of our animal control officers and detectives, we were able to take action in this case. We remain committed to seeking justice for innocent animals and ensuring the safety of all residents.”

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the New Bedford Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.