Death of Abandoned Dog Spurs Legislation Effort

Legislation spurred on by the death of a Hudson dog named Phantom would protect animals in abandoned buildings.

A resident's efforts to find justice for a lab that died after being abandoned in a foreclosed property have culminated with the filing of a bill to protect animals in similar situations. "This is the bill that I want. I have been praying for this bill for two years and I am very, very happy ... I want this law passed. I don’t want this to happen to any other dogs," said Lyn Gorka, a local real estate agent and animal rights advocate, who had spoken out for such a bill after being moved by the story of the 2 year-old Phantom that died after being abandoned in a foreclosed apartment. Gorka said abandoned animals in foreclosed properties is ongoing and being reported by other brokers throughout the region. "I want this to be called Phantom's…

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Hearing Continues for Santo Anza, Accused of Operating an Illegal Dump

Prosecutors say Santo Anza accepted piles of garbage at his Northborough property.

Neighbors who brought the issue before the Board of Selectmen and Zoning Board of Appeals in Northborough years ago probably would not be surprised to find that prosecutors have accused Santo Anza of taking money to accept piles of garbage at his property, as many neighbors on Whitney have complained of wafting smells of garbage and trucks coming and going at unusual hours. Anza was charged last year by the Attorney General of operating an illegal dumping ground masked as a "farm," and faces accusations of environmental violations and animal cruelty. According to the Boston Business Journal, Anza, who appeared in Worcester Superior Court last Thursday, was accused of taking money to accept garbage at his Whitney Street property, which he …

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Santo Anza's Hearing This Week in Superior Court

Anza, charged with environmental violations and animal cruelty, faces charges in court this week.

Santo Anza, Northborough man charged with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty for an alleged operation of an illegal dumping site (SA Farms), faces his trial date this Thursday, March 28, at 8:50 a.m. in Worcester Superior Court, according to a press release submitted by the Office of the Attorney General. Anza, 51, was indicted in December of 2011 "on the charges of violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act (3 counts), violating the Massachusetts Solid Waste Act (10 counts), and Animal Cruelty (3 counts)." “We allege that the defendant operated an illegal dump site that was used to dispose of rotten food, garbage, and dead animals, among other materials,” said Attorney General Martha Coakley in a press release.  “These …

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DEP Says Anza Never Had the OK to Operate Solid Waste Facility

Santo Anza's trial continues, as he faces charges of environmental and animal cruelty violations.

James McQuade, the solid waste section chief of the Department Environmental Protection's Central Region in Worcester, said that Santo Anza never received authorization to operate a solid waste facility on his property, reported the Telegram and Gazette. Anza, who is accused of operating an illegal dump at SA Farm on Whitney Street in Northborough, and also of animal cruelty charges, faced another round of testimony on Friday in Worcester Superior Court. After numerous complaints from residents, the attorney general shut down the operation, and served Anza with the charges in October, 2011. Anza's trial will continue on Jan. 31.

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Trial Underway for S.A. Farms Owner Charged With Operating Illegal Dump

Santo Anza, who faces charges for operating an illegal dump, heads back to court on Friday.

The trial is underway for Santo Anza, a Northborough man who is facing allegations of operating an illegal dump at his property on Whitney Street, and also animal cruelty charges, according to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. A resident and neighbor, Gina Babcock, testified in the trial that began last Friday, stating that the smell of garbage made her feel “like a hostage in my own home.” Anza, who is 52, has been called before numerous Northborough boards—including the ZBA and Board of Selectmen—on many occasions after complaints about his operation of SA Farms, which residents argue is a mask for an illegal dumping ground. He was arraigned in connection with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty last January, announced…

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Santo Anza Pleads Not Guilty to Charges

Santo Anza, accused of operating an illegal dump, pleaded not guilty to environmental and animal cruelty charges.

Santo Anza Arraigned for Animal Cruelty and Multiple Environmental Violations

SA Farm owner faces charges of animal cruelty and multiple environmental violations.

Submitted by the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley A Northborough man has been arraigned in connection with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty for the alleged operation of an illegal dumping site, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Wednesday, Jan. 18.  Santo Anza, Jr., age 51, of Northborough, has been arraigned on the charges of violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act (three counts), violating the Massachusetts Solid Waste Act (10 counts), and Animal Cruelty (three counts).  Santo Anza was arraigned today in Worcester Superior Court where he pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, with the condition that he not contact citizen witnesses who testified against him. According to …

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