Dog killing suspect faces judge

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- An accused dog killer was surrounded by animal rights activists as he left court in New Haven. Some shouted "coward" and called him a murderer.

"Put a scare into these people as a deterrent," said Carol Richart. "Let them know we won't stand for it."

22-year-old Alex Wullaert of Branford is accused of strangling his dog, Desmond. Wullaert adopted Desmond from a shelter soon after his former girlfriend gave the dog up.
   
Shelter volunteers that cared for Pitbull-Boxer mix were outside court.

"We had really hoped he would have been on a couch playing with toys, then we found out what really happened," said Melissa Izzo, who volunteers at the shelter.

Wullaert told investigators he only fed Desmond one cup of rice a day and left him alone for 12 hours routinely. Then in January, when dog urinated on him and bit him, Wullaert went into an uncontrollable rage

In court documents , Wullaert admitted to strangling the dog, dumping him in a lake, and then returning to put flowers on the water as a sort of apology for what he did.

The dog's remains were found in January in Madison. A tracking chip implanted in the dog led police to Wullaert.

"We want his murderer to get the maximum," Izzo said.

Through Report It we learned of a Facebook page Justice For Desmond , with more than 2,000 likes.

The young man showed no response, but animal rights activists vow to shadow him each time he comes to court.

Wullaert is due back in court on June 5. He was released on a promise to appear. He faces charges of animal cruelty and littering.