Boston man facing animal cruelty charges after police find deceased dog in home

BOSTON, September 13, 2026 – A Boston man is facing animal cruelty charges in South Boston BMC after police found one dead dog and several other emaciated dogs in his home Monday, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

LESTER JAMES, 39, was charged with seven counts of animal cruelty. Judge Margaret Albertson set bail at $5,000 and ordered James not to possess or care for any animals and undergo a mental health evaluation. James is due back in court on October 20 for a pre-trial hearing.

At Tuesday’s arraignment, prosecutors said that at about 11:56 a.m. on September 7, Boston police responded to an apartment on Old Colony Avenue after James called 911 to report that his dog died in its cage. Upon arrival, James met the officers in the hallway in front of his apartment and said he left his apartment the day prior at 2:30 p.m. and returned the next day to find his pitbull dead while his other dog, another pitbull, had a swollen face. Upon entering the apartment, officers observed a white emaciated pitbull chained to the kitchen wall and piles of feces and urination stains on the floor surrounding the dog.

Officers found a deceased pitbull named Gwap inside a cage in another room. The deceased dog was laying on its left side in a cage that appeared to be covered in dog vomit and feces. Officers did not see any bowls of food or water in the cage and observed a half-broken broom stick inside the cage. Officers located another cage in the same room containing three younger pitbulls, all of which appeared emaciated, surrounded by two empty bowls. Officers observed that one of the three younger pitbulls appeared to have a limp, unable to walk on its left paw, and several piles of feces on the floor of the cage.

Officers located an additional pitbull and a chihuahua in another room who both appeared malnourished.

Officers learned from James that the purpose of keeping all the dogs in the apartment was to breed them.

James told officers that Gwap had killed and eaten his Yorkshire Terrier just two weeks ago. He also stated that the pitbull in the kitchen named Gambit was the mother of the three younger pitbulls in the cage, and that a fourth puppy of Gambit’s had been stepped on by his son and died. James did not answer when asked if the animals had been seen by a veterinarian.

Boston Animal Care and Control was called and responded to the scene, removing all six dogs from the apartment as well as the deceased pitbull. James said he did not know how a broken broom stick got into the cage and suggested that someone had been breaking in. Officers did not observe any signs of forced entry. Animal Control noted that likely every dog would need treatment due to their current conditions and would have to be taken to MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center.

Due to the circumstances, James was arrested on scene.

“When pet owners can’t or won’t properly care for their animals it too often turns into tragedies for the pets and criminal charges for the owners. The fact that there are always options available just added to the tragedy,” James Borghesani, Chief of Communications, said.

On Sunday, Boston Animal Care and Control reported that the dogs are under conditioned (thin) and several have scratches, bites, and other injuries ranging in severity. Their overall condition is improving, and they continue to receive ongoing veterinary care under the supervision of the City of Boston’s veterinarian and veterinarians at MSPCA-Angell.

The Boston Animal Care and Control Division said: “The City of Boston is grateful to our partners at MSPCA-Angell and the dedicated team at Boston Animal Care and Control for their tireless efforts to provide compassionate care, shelter, and support to the animals rescued. Their partnership and commitment is essential to ensuring our city's animals receive the care they deserve.”

In January 2024, Hayden created the Suffolk County Animal Cruelty Task Force, a multi-agency initiative aimed at reducing abuse of animals and coordinating efforts to bring abusers to justice. Members include the police and animal control departments in Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop, the Massachusetts State Police, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, the Animal Rescue League and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Those reporting animal abuse should call the ARL hotline at (617) 426-9170 x110 or email cruelty@arlboston.org or the MSPCA hotline at (617) 522-6008 or (800) 628-5808.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications