Cocoa Surrendered, Court Dismisses Animal Cruelty Charges

The animal cruelty charges against the Farmington High School boys varsity volleyball coach were dismissed in Hartford Community Court on Wednesday, but a judge ordered the owner to surrender the dog. 

Police had arrested Juliette Givens, 46, of Avon, on charges of cruelty to animals, illegally confining or tethering a dog and failure to comply with dog ownership requirements on Jan. 21 after receiving reports that her 10-year-old springer spaniel had been left outside in the cold for an extended period. 

Animal Control Officer Beverly LaPlume removed the dog, Cocoa, from Givens' Waterville Road home after she found the dog tethered on a 3-foot leash attached to a runner in the yard. LaPlume previously told Patch that the dog's fur was caked in feces and dried urine. The dog also had fleas and three tumors, which were removed on Feb. 11, according to LaPlume. The surgery was paid for entirely by donations from the community.

The court dropped all three of Givens' charges Wednesday. Although Givens had appealed LaPlume's initial order to surrender Cocoa to authorities, the judge denied the appeal on Feb. 22.

Cocoa is currently in the care of a foster family and LaPlume declined to release the name of the foster caregiver. LaPlume has not received official word from the prosecutor on the dismissal, but previously told Patch that if he is officially surrendered, the foster family was the primary candidate to adopt Cocoa.