Old Lyme Approves $10K Settlement Over Costs From Animal Seizure Case

OLD LYME, CT – The Board of Selectmen at a brief special meeting Friday morning approved a $10,000 settlement related to last year’s seizure of 27 animals from a Miami Avenue home.

The animals – 20 dogs, five birds and two chinchillas – were removed from the home in July after concerns were brought to Old Lyme Animal Control Officer Lynn Philemon about an animal hoarding situation in Cheshire with ties to the Old Lyme property, according to civil court documents. 

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker said the town could not place a lien on the property because it was no longer owned by any parties named in the case. 

“And even if we did have the option, putting a lien on a house means that you’re waiting years,” she said. 

Nancy Guest, Philip Guest and Jennifer Guest were arrested in September on 19 counts of animal cruelty related to the Cheshire investigation. The case is pending in Meriden Superior Court. 

Assessor’s records show the home, which had been owned by Nancy Guest since 1995, was transferred to the Philip and Nancy Guest Irrevocable Trust on Jan. 10, 2024, with family member Timothy Guest as trustee. On Oct. 6, 2025, the deed was transferred to successor trustee Robert J. Santoro.

Shoemaker and Selectman John Mesham voted to approve the settlement with a requirement that payment be made within 20 days. Selectman Jim Lampos was absent due to travel. 

Mesham said the deadline is important so the town can pursue other recovery options if the amount isn’t paid on time. 

In October, as part of a civil case filed by Old Lyme against Nancy Guest and Jennifer Guest, the town asked the defendants for $23,500 to cover expenses. The amount included $5,900 in veterinary fees and $17,600 in daily boarding fees from the date of the seizure through the Sept. 10 arrests. 

Shoemaker on Friday said the veterinary fees have since been covered by donations. 

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut in October pledged up to $10,000 to support veterinary care, rehabilitation and adoption efforts. 

Shoemaker after the meeting said town attorney Michael Carey of Suisman Shapiro will convey the settlement agreement to counsel representing a Guest family member on Monday. She said she was not disclosing the name of the attorney or client pending advice from town counsel on whether that information can be released before the settlement is finalized.