Caron Communications Welcomes Hornish Family to Client Portfolio, Champions Fair Narrative in Suffield Dog Bite Case

Annie and Neil Hornish

May 12, 2025 – Suffield, CT – Caron Communications, a leading public relations firm known for zealously advocating for its clients, announces the addition of Annie and Neil Hornish to its portfolio.

The firm has been retained to represent the Hornish family in their ongoing struggle against a one-sided public narrative propagated by the town of Suffield, Connecticut, following a tragic 2019 incident involving their dog, Dexter.

With a commitment to restoring balance and fairness, Caron Communications is actively working to mitigate the reputational harm inflicted on the Hornish family and to advocate for their right to due process.

The Hornish family’s ordeal began in 2019 when their dog, Dexter, was involved in a regrettable accident that led to a fatality. What followed was a six-year saga marked by biased news coverage, social media vitriol, and a concerted effort by the town of Suffield to vilify the Hornish family.

The town’s public statements, including a May 5, 2025, release accusing the Hornish family of “dragging this case on,” have fueled a narrative that paints Annie and Neil as negligent pet owners and their dog as a public menace. Such claims, however, are not only misleading but also dismissive of the family’s ongoing legal efforts to protect Dexter, who has passed three behavioral exams and is eligible for relocation to one of two animal sanctuaries at no cost to Suffield taxpayers.

Caron Communications has stepped in to counter this narrative, leveraging its expertise in crisis communications and reputation management to ensure the Hornish family’s side of the story is heard. In a powerful news release issued on May 12, 2025, on behalf of the Hornish family, Caron Communications called out the town of Suffield for its “punitive public crusade” and “fearmongering” tactics, such as describing the incident with inflammatory terms like “brutally mauled” and “attack.” The release also highlighted the town’s premature push for Dexter’s execution, despite the ongoing legal process, as an attempt to scapegoat the Hornish family and silence their advocacy for voiceless animals.

“Annie and Neil Hornish are not villains—they are a family rooted in public service and animal advocacy, caught in a tragic situation that has been exploited to harm their reputation,” said Matt Caron, founder of Caron Communications. “Our mission is to amplify their voice, correct the record, and push back against the town’s irresponsible campaign to turn neighbors against them. We are committed to helping the Hornish family navigate this crisis with dignity and truth.”

News coverage of the Hornish case has been heavily skewed, often amplifying the town of Suffield’s perspective while sidelining the Hornish family’s efforts to seek a humane resolution. Local outlets have frequently echoed the town’s language, focusing on the tragic outcome of the 2019 incident without providing context about Dexter’s behavioral evaluations or the family’s pursuit of non-lethal alternatives. This one-sided reporting has contributed to a barrage of social media threats and character assassination, compounding the emotional and financial toll on the Hornish family, who have faced lengthy litigation and a $76,000 legal fee judgment stemming from the case.

The town’s public statements have exacerbated this bias. By framing the Hornish family as obstructing justice and Dexter as a “dangerous dog,” Suffield officials have stoked fear and division among residents, undermining the family’s deep ties to the community. The lack of balanced reporting has left the Hornish family vulnerable to public condemnation, with little opportunity to share their perspective—until now.

By taking on the Hornish family as clients, Caron Communications reaffirms its motto, “Your Message Is Our Mission.” The firm’s work is not only about correcting the record but also about protecting a family’s legacy and advocating for a more compassionate public discourse.