Groton Man Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Violence, Animal Cruelty Charges

A Groton man pleaded not guilty this morning to domestic violence and animal abuse charges in New London Superior Court.

Tyler M. Cauley, 26, of 101 Driftwood Circle in Groton, was charged with cruelty to animals, failure to vaccinate and three counts of failure to license, after a dog was brought to Veterinary Emergency Treatment Services in Oakdale on Jan. 16 with massive internal injuries.

Cauley was also charged in a separate domestic incident in January 2010.  In that case, he was charged with third-degree assault, interfering with an emergency call, third-degree strangulation, reckless endangerment and second-degree unlawful restraint, according to documents filed in court.

Cauley, who works as a sonar technician for the U.S. Navy and speaks with a slight Southern accent, stood quietly beside his lawyer during the proceeding.

His case will be heard next on April 5.

Cauley said after the hearing that he is married and remains with his wife. He said his lawyer advised him not to talk publicly about his case.

“I don’t want to make any comment at this time,” he said.

The dog was turned over to the town of Groton and adopted.