A Massachusetts family is grappling with the tragic loss of their beloved dog, which authorities believe perished under the supervision of a woman who had promised to train the canine.
Bart and Jessie Hanson turned to the Thumbtack app to find a trainer for Charlie, their 3-year-old French bulldog. They agreed to pay $2,250 for the service. The trainer’s profile, named “Wagging Good,” listed her as ‘Lilly.’ However, Bart Hanson mentioned, “We later found out ‘Lilly’ wasn’t her real name. She offered a board-and-train program where Charlie would stay with her for a fortnight.”
The actual identity of the trainer, as per a police document, is 27-year-old Josephine Ragland from Haddam, Connecticut. After the two-week training duration, Ragland informed the Hansons that Charlie had gone missing.
Suspicion arose when Charlie wasn’t returned, leading Bart Hanson to notify the North Reading police on September 16. Preliminary findings by the police revealed that Charlie had passed away around September 4. Yet, Ragland had deceitfully sent the Hansons pictures, falsely indicating that Charlie was still undergoing training.
“Within the initial days of her custody, he was gone,” lamented Bart Hanson.
A post-mortem examination by the University of Connecticut revealed that Charlie was severely malnourished when he died. The police report disclosed a shocking revelation: Ragland confessed that she was mostly absent from her home, spending her days at Mohegan Sun casino, leaving Charlie and other dogs unattended. Furthermore, Ragland’s parents are believed to have discarded Charlie’s remains near the Canterbury Turnpike in Norwichtown, Connecticut.
Jessie Hanson, devastated, questioned, “How could anyone do this to him?”
Further investigations by North Reading police unveiled that Ragland had consistently provided false information to hinder their probe. Consequently, she faces charges of larceny over $1,200 by deceit and obstructing police investigations.
The Hansons weren’t her only victims. Ragland had reportedly duped several families across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and California, operating under various aliases.
Bart Hanson expressed his hope that some positive change might arise from this tragedy, emphasizing the importance of thorough background checks. Thumbtack, addressing the incident, stated they are delving into the matter concerning Ragland and the Hansons, emphasizing their commitment to the platform’s integrity. During the inquiry, in collaboration with Connecticut law enforcement, four other dogs were rescued from Ragland’s residence and reunited with their families across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been alerted about the case by North Reading police.
The Hanson family urges anyone who might have engaged Josephine Ragland or “Lily” from “Wagging Good” or “Everything Animals” on Thumbtack to reach out at [email protected].”
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