Josephine “Josie” Ragland, the Connecticut canine coach who was charged in reference to a North Reading canine’s demise, is now going through extra fees in California, in response to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
The 28-year-old Haddam resident made headlines earlier this fall after North Reading police charged her with larceny and intimidation of a witness in reference to the demise of Charlie, a 3-year-old French bulldog that allegedly died in her care. Police started investigating Ragland after she didn’t return Charlie to his homeowners and instructed them he’d run away.
North Reading police quickly found that Ragland had been concerned in one other canine’s disappearance in California months earlier than, in response to court docket paperwork. They started working with police in Palo Alto, who offered them with almost 50 pages on their investigation into Ragland following the disappearance of a 7-year-old German Shepherd named Scott.
Palo Alto police spoke to 18 of Ragland’s former purchasers, who instructed them she had allegedly abused and neglected their dogsand that her coaching business was a rip-off, in response to court docket paperwork.
Despite this, Ragland was not charged in California – till now. According to court docket information, she was charged with larceny of a canine whose worth exceeds $950 and grand larceny of non-public property exceeding $950 on Oct. 23.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office declined to touch upon the costs, however court docket information point out that they stem from an occasion which took place on Dec. 19, which matches the timeline for Scott’s disappearance. Scott remains to be lacking.
What occurred with Scott
Scott’s proprietor, Carolina Bruchilari, employed a coach, who was later recognized as Ragland, to take him for a two-week coaching in mid-December 2022, NBC Bay Area reported. Bruchilari instructed the information station Ragland appeared legit, however that she grew to become suspicious of her when Ragland allegedly returned a special German Shepherd to them on the finish of the two-week coaching interval.
Ragland ghosted Bruchilari after taking the faux Scott again, however ultimately texted her saying Scott had damaged via a window whereas within the care of one other coach who Ragland had left the canine with whereas she handled a household emergency, Bruchilari instructed the information station.
Ragland stated Scott was “definitely dead” as a result of the coach had discovered blood, clumps of fur, and a part of his paw, Bruchilari instructed the information station. She blamed the opposite coach for returning a special canine to them and stated she was unaware that had occurred.
Palo Alto police’s investigation into Ragland discovered that, in the course of the two weeks she was purportedly caring for Scott, she spent lots of time on the native on line casino, in response to court docket paperwork. North Reading police additionally found as a part of their investigation that Ragland had typically been going to Mohegan Sun whereas a number of dogs, together with Charlie, have been in her care.
Ragland was arraigned in Massachusetts final month and launched with circumstances together with that she not work or volunteer with organizations that work with animals. She is due again in court docket on Jan. 10.
More allegations out of California
San Francisco resident Diana Zlotnikova, 23, was one of many purchasers interviewed by Palo Alto police. She stated she employed Ragland to take her canine Marni, who was a 4-month-old puppy on the time, to do basic puppy coaching for 2 weeks across the similar time as Scott.
Zlotnikova stated Ragland instructed her she was taking Marni to her home, however refused to inform her the deal with. Ragland instructed “a very convincing story” a few earlier consumer threatening her security to justify this to Zlotnikova and reassured her of her {qualifications}.
When Ragland returned Marni, he appeared very skinny, Zlotnikova stated. She discovered that he’d misplaced 5 kilos – a fourth of his complete weight. He was additionally soiled, she stated, and had urine and feces throughout his physique.
Zlotnikova had begun crate coaching Marni earlier than he went to stick with Ragland, however stated she had to surrender on it when he returned as a result of he had turn into petrified of his crate. Far from having been skilled, she stated, Marni had regressed beneath Ragland’s care.
“Overall, he was not doing well. He was scared, anxious, hiding in corners from people,” she stated.
When Zlotinikova confronted Ragland about Marni’s situation, Ragland bought indignant and accused her of not persevering with Marni’s coaching correctly, amongst different excuses, Zlotnikova stated. It took Zlotnikova some time to simply accept what had occurred, as she had a tough time believing somebody may do this to a puppy.
“She was very good at manipulating me into thinking that I didn’t understand something, or [that] I’m overthinking a situation,” she stated of Ragland.
Eventually, Zlotnikova tried to report Ragland to police in San Mateo, the place she lived on the time, however they referred her to Palo Alto police, as they have been already investigating Ragland. Marni has since recovered, Zlotnikova stated.
“It breaks my heart to think that someone could not appreciate the fragility of him and someone could treat him badly,” she stated. “There was also a lot of guilt on my part that I was misled into thinking my dog is going to be in good hands.”
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