Robert Nolette Scituate, RI charged with animal abuse

A Rhode Island man is facing animal cruelty charges over the alleged abuse of his then-girlfriend's beagle, which was left in his care last summer.

Robert Nolette, 23, of Scituate, was charged in Providence County Superior Court with three counts of maliciously wounding an animal, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office said Friday.

Prosecutors said that the owner brought the dog, an 8-year-old female beagle mix named Coco, to the vet in September 20, 2022, after coming home and finding Coco with cuts and having trouble breathing. Veterinarians found the dog had multiple rib fractures, subcutaneous emphysema, and multiple cuts and bruises that required emergency treatment. At the time the vet said that the injuries appeared intentional.

During a later follow-up visit, a veterinarian noted second- and third-degree burns on 40% of Coco's body.

The Scituate Police Department and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (RISPCA) started a criminal investigation and found that Coco had been left in the care of the owner's then-boyfriend, Nolette. Investigators also learned that Coco had been brought to the animal hospital the month before for similar injuries.

Nolette turned himself in when learning of a warrant for his arrest. He is scheduled to appear in Providence County Superior Court on Oct. 11 for a pre-trial hearing.

WJAR reports that Nolette previously pled not guilty to the charges. They say Nolette, an up-and-coming boxer, did not respond to the station's previous request for comment.