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57°
Tuesday, sep 17
Tag:
Animal Cruelty
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man Who Had 157 Cats At Home Indicted, Prosecutors Say
A Brick Township man was indicted after more than 150 cats were found in his home, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 56-year-old Jeffrey Finlay on Wednesday, Aug. 28 for 149 counts of animal cruelty, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Finlay called Brick police to help remove the animals from his house on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Officers found about 157 cats and three dogs at the Mantoloking Road home. It took crews about 24 hours for the pets to be removed and brought to county animal facilities for treatment. Finlay was first charge…
Police & Fire
Man, 30, Charged With Killing Dog In Hunterdon County: Prosecutor
A 30-year-old Hunterdon County man was arrested and charged after he fatally shot a pit bull on Monday, Aug. 12, authorities said. At 1:30 p.m., officers responded to Flemington Whitehouse Road in Readington Township on a report of a homeowner discharging a weapon, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office and Readington Township Police Department said. The owner of the property reported a pit bull began attacking another dog and the pit bull was being aggressive toward her, authorities said. Craig Cooke, who was with the woman, then shot the pit bull, resulting in the pit bull's death, auth…
Police & Fire
'Crazy Rescue Ladies' Who Had 170+ Pets In Disgusting NJ Home Sentenced, Prosecutors Say
Two Brick Township women who called themselves the "Crazy Rescue Ladies" will spend nearly a year in jail after admitting to having more than 170 pets in deplorable conditions, authorities said. Michele Nycz, 60, and Aimee Lonczak, 51, were sentenced on Friday, Aug. 16 to 364 days in Ocean County Jail, county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. The women pleaded guilty on Monday, June 24 to two counts of animal cruelty, and Lonczak also entered a guilty plea for child neglect. Brick Township police responded to a complaint of a suspected puppy mill run a…
Police & Fire
Cruel Man Who Hurled Dogs Over Fence Of NJ Animal Shelter Arrested, Police Say
The man seen hurling dogs over the fence of the Atlantic County Animal Shelter has been arrested, police said, Jahlil McNeal, 23, of Atlantic City, was identified by city police as the man captured in disturbing footage throwing dogs over the fence at the county animal shelter and leaving. McNeal has been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, failure to provide care to animals, two counts theft of services, and witness tampering. McNeal first abandoned an animal at the shelter after hours on July 15, police said. ACPD's Humane Law Enforcement Officer, Matthew Schmidt, initia…
Police & Fire
South Jersey Cockfighting Ringleader Pleads Guilty To Animal Cruelty Charges, Prosecutors Say
An Egg Harbor City man admitted to running an elaborate cockfighting ring at his home, authorities said. Jose Madera, 33, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Aug. 6 to several animal cruelty charges and other offenses, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. A judge had ordered him to remain in jail to await a trial on Tuesday, Mar. 19. Prosecutors said Madera's plea deal calls for him to spend 364 days in county jail and receive up to five years of probation. He would also be banned from owning animals or living with them. Galloway Township police uncovered t…
Police & Fire
Man Decapitated Seagull On Jersey Shore Boardwalk, Police Say
A Cape May man was accused of decapitating a seagull on the boardwalk in North Wildwood, authorities said. Franklin Zeigler, 29, was charged with third-degree animal cruelty, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, the North Wildwood Police Department said in a news release on Monday, July 22. Officers responded to a report of an animal cruelty incident at Morey's Piers on Saturday, July 6, and witnesses said Ziegler had decapitated the shorebird. Ziegler was also "irate and uncooperative" with police on an unrelated investigation. Investigators said Ziegler was charged with animal cruel…
Police & Fire
'Crazy Rescue Ladies' Plead Guilty After 170+ Pets Saved From Disgusting NJ Home: Prosecutors
Two Brick Township women who called themselves the "Crazy Rescue Ladies" admitted to having more than 170 pets in deplorable conditions, authorities said. Michele Nycz, 60, pleaded guilty on Monday, June 24 to two counts of animal cruelty, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Aimee Lonczak, 51, also pleaded guilty on the same day to two counts of animal cruelty, along with child neglect. Brick police responded to a complaint of a suspected puppy mill run at a home on Arrowhead Park Drive on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Officers smelled a strong odor…
Police & Fire
Asbury Park Teen Sentenced For Deadly Rape, Torture Of Pet Cat: Prosecutors
An Asbury Park teen will spend several years in prison after admitting to raping, torturing, and killing his pet cat, authorities said. Bani Mezquititla, 19, was sentenced on Thursday, June 13 to five years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. He pleaded guilty to two third-degree animal cruelty charges in April. Investigators said Mezquititla seriously injured the cat named Ellie after performing "sexual acts" on it, then killed it after restraining and torturing it. "It is virtually impossible to conceive of an inst…
News
NJ Man, Ohio Pal Created Sadistic Monkey Torture Videos, Feds Say
A New Jersey resident and an Ohio co-conspirator are facing charges for their involvement with the creation of sadistic monkey torture videos involving their genitalia, federal authorities said. Giancarlo Morelli, the Garden State resident, and Nicholas T. Dryden planned to create and distribute videos showing acts of sadistic violence against baby, adolescent and adult monkeys in March and April 2023, according to Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. The two funneled money through Dryden, who then paid a minor in Indone…
Police & Fire
Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors
An Asbury Park teen admitted to raping, torturing, and killing his pet cat, authorities said. Bani Mezquititla, 19, pleaded guilty to third-degree animal cruelty by tormenting, torturing, or unnecessarily or cruelly abusing a living animal resulting in its death, and third-degree animal cruelty by using or causing or procuring the use of an animal or creature in any kind of sexual manner. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the guilty plea in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 10. Asbury Park police began investigating after someone brought a d…
Police & Fire
Accused South Jersey Cockfighting Ringleader Ordered To Stay In Jail: Prosecutors
A South Jersey man accused of running an elaborate cockfighting ring at his home will stay in jail until his trial. A judge ordered 33-year-old Jose Madera of Egg Harbor City to remain detained pending trial on Tuesday, Mar. 19, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. Madera was charged with several animal cruelty offenses, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, destruction of evidence, and resisting arrest. Galloway Township police uncovered the cockfighting operation at a home on the 300 block of South Bremen Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 9. Madera and 51 …
Police & Fire
52 Arrested In 'Elaborate' Cockfighting Ring In South Jersey: Police
More than 50 people were arrested after police broke up a large cockfighting ring in Atlantic County, authorities said. Galloway Township police executed a search warrant at a home on the 300 block of South Bremen Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 9, the department said in a news release. When officers arrived, a large group of people were there and many tried to run away before they were detained. Investigators found an "elaborate cockfighting operation" that included a fighting ring, seating for spectators, and several cockfighting kits. About 50 roosters were found in "various degrees of health" …
Police & Fire
Abused, Neglected Dog Found In Fetid Basement Cage, Three Teaneck Family Members Charged
A 68-year-old Teaneck woman and two adult family members were arrested after police said they found an abused and neglected dog who could barely stand inside a metal crate caked with urine and feces in their basement. Robert Claire, Christopher Claire, and Yvonne Claire were all charged with animal cruelty after a tipster led police to the Hamilton Road home, Teaneck Police Chief Andrew R. McGurr said. Robert Claire, 40, refused officers’ commands, obstructing their initial efforts, the chief said. A member of Bergen County Animal Control had to carry the Bull Terrier to a vehicle after li…
Police & Fire
Animal Control Officer Left Dog To Die In Kennel Dumpster: Mahwah PD
An animal control officer for several New Jersey towns was arrested after leaving a dog to die in a Dumpster at a kennel he owns and operates in Mahwah, township police said. Authorities took Richard A. DuBarton III, 57, into custody and removed 47 malnourished and severely weakened dogs from the Aranwood Kennels after finding them locked outside in freezing temperatures, a Mahwah police complaint says. They'd been left in dog runs "with feces and urine that [DuBarton] failed to clean up," according to the complaint filed in Superior Court in Hackensack. "Multiple dogs were seen shiver…
Police & Fire
'Unfed, Unhealthy & Dirty': More Than 90 Dogs, Pups Removed From Sussex Home, Couple Charged
UPDATE: The ASPCA said on Wednesday that it helped remove more than 90 adult dogs and puppies from the Sussex County home of a self-described animal couple who were charged with multiple cruelty-related counts. Two dogs were found dead during a 7 a.m. raid at a Vernon Township home led by the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, Feb. 20, authorities reported. Both Gizela Juric, who founded the Angels for Animals Network in Cliffside Park before moving it to Sussex County, and her boyfriend, Ronald Colgan, were charged with six criminal animal cruelty accounts, the American Soc…
News
Dogs Up For Adoption After Escaping Hoarding Situation In Atlantic County
Several dogs rescued from an Atlantic County hoarding situation are ready to find their forever homes. Some of the 25 dogs saved from a Galloway home are now up for adoption, the township's police department said on Thursday, Feb. 15. The dogs and one cat were found in poor conditions at a Zurich Avenue home on Saturday, Feb. 10. Officers also discovered a dead dog on the property. The animals' owner, 23-year-old Jason Millar of Wildwood Crest, was charged with cruelty to animals and he was released on a summons. Galloway police said a black-and-white Newfoundland dog named "Moo"…
News
Dogs Saved From Suspected Jersey Shore Fighting Ring Need Foster Families
Temporary homes are needed for eight dogs rescued from a suspected dogfighting ring in Monmouth County, officials said. The Monmouth County SPCA gave an update on Tuesday, Feb. 13 on the dogs, which were recovered from a home on Embury Avenue in Neptune Township on Saturday, Feb. 3. Six dogs were found in dirty crates inside of a garage and two were found on heavy chains tied to dog houses. The county SPCA said the dogs are recovering from being left in poor conditions and freezing temperatures. "Since then, these dogs have finally felt what real love is, and thanks to the outpour of gener…
News
Dead Animal, 25 Dogs Found In Young Man's Home: Galloway Police
A Wildwood Crest man was arrested after more than two dozen dogs and cats were found living in poor conditions in Atlantic County, authorities said. Galloway Township police said 23-year-old Jason Millar was charged with cruelty to animals after officers went to a house on Zurich Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 10, to follow up on an animal complaint. Millar told officers he was the owner of the animals. Investigators found a dead dog, along with about 25 dogs and a cat "with insufficient access to food and water." Animal control officers arrived to provide care for the animals and bring them to …
Police & Fire
Eight Dogs Rescued From Jersey Shore Fighting Ring: Officials
Eight dogs were rescued in Monmouth County after a suspected dogfighting ring was uncovered, animal advocates said. According to the Monmouth County SPCA, Neptune Township police responded to a call about animals in distress at a home on Embury Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 3. When officers and SPCA's humane law enforcement division arrived, they followed a concrete path with fresh blood to a backyard garage with dogs barking inside of it. Officers removed the locks and found six dogs inside the garage. They were in separate crates lined with wood chips and dirty from the animals' urine and fece…
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Himself Killing Cat Sentenced
A Monmouth County man will spend several years in prison after intentionally killing his cat and assaulting his roommate, authorities said. Christopher Sanchez, 29, of Howell Township, was sentenced on Thursday, Feb. 1 to four-and-a-half years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced. Sanchez pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and simple assault charges on Monday, Dec. 4. Howell Township police were called to Sanchez's home for an "unrelated matter" on Friday, Mar. 31. Officers found the cat's body outside of the home and began an investigation. Investigators fr…
Police & Fire
Malnourished Dog Left In Freezing Cold Rescued By Haledon Police, Couple Charged With Cruelty
A call from a concerned citizen brought a trio of Haledon police officers to a heartbreaking scene. Outside a home on Southside Avenue, they found "a young gray pit bull collapsed on the ground, severely emaciated and exhibiting signs of frostbite and hypothermia," Deputy Police Chief George Guzman, Jr. said.Her name is Elsa. Officers Nasir Mora and Antonio Parisi and Corporal Andrea Boos provided emergency care and rushed Elsa to a local animal hospital, the deputy chief said. The borough's human law enforcement officer, Corporal April Latona, then led an investigation assisted …
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man Admits Killing His Cat: Prosecutor
A 29-year-old Howell Township man has admitted he intentionally killed his cat with a sharp instrument, authorities said. Christopher Sanchez pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty and simple assault on Monday, Dec. 4, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. The assault charge stems from Sanchez attacking his roommate after killing the cat named Lilith, Santiago said. An investigation began on March 31, when Howell police found the body of the cat outside his home. Sanchez killed the cat two days earlier, Santiago said. Sanchez is scheduled to be sentenced o…
News
State Slammer For NJ Man Who Tortured GF's Cat, Cocked Gun At Different Victim
A 30-year-old New Jersey man will be spending several years in state prison for beating a cat so badly the animal had to be euthanized and for holding a gun to a person's head and cocking it when he tried walking away. Michael Ciarla, of Galloway Township, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury Jr., to one year in state prison without parole for aggravated assault, and a consecutive term of three years for animal cruelty via torture, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said. In August, Ciarla pleaded guilty to fourth degree aggravated assault by pointing a fir…
Police & Fire
Couple Rearrested In Case Of 100 Dead Dogs At South Jersey Home
A South Jersey couple has been rearrested on animal cruelty charges as a woman was found to be posing as an animal rescue worker, authorities said. In August, more than 30 dead dogs were found at a home in Burlington County — and police had said there could be 70 more on the property. Rebecca Halbach, 35, and Brandon Leconey, 32, also had been arrested for endangering the welfare of a child after the harrowing discovery at their Evesham home on the 600 block of Main Street was made Monday, Aug. 28, police said. On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Evesham police said that Halbach had posed as a rescue wor…
Police & Fire
100 Dead Dogs Suspected At South Jersey Home, Child Turned Over To DCF, Parents Arrested: PD
More than 30 dead dogs were found at a home in Burlington County — and police say there could be 70 more on the property. Rebecca Halbach, 35, and Brandon Leconey, 32, have been arrested for endangering the welfare of a child and animal cruelty, after the harrowing discovery at their Evesham home on the 600 block of Main Street was made Monday, Aug. 28, police said. Janice Thompson, who runs Tender Mercies Pet Organization, tells Daily Voice three dogs rescued by her org in North Carolina were sent to a New Jersey rescue as her facilities were at capacity. Those dogs, along with puppies t…
Police & Fire
Police Sniff Out Dead Dogs Crated In Backyard NJ Shed
Two New Jersey residents are facing animal cruelty charges after a pair of dead dogs were found dead in crates in a backyard shed. Justina T. Erving, 28, was being held in the Ocean County Jail while Jarriel S. Walton, 29, remained at large as of Wednesday, July 5, authorities in Little Egg Harbor said. Police were called to a home on Tavistock Drive on Saturday, July 1, following complaints of a foul odor coming from a shed in the backyard. There, police found two dogs, both about 1 year in age, dead inside of a crate, inside of the shed "under conditions that indicated cruelty or abuse t…
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man With 157 Cats Charged WIth Animal Cruelty: Prosecutor
A 54-year-old man from the Jersey Shore, who owned 157 cats, has been charged with animal cruelty, authorities said. Twenty-five of the cats owned by Jeffrey Finlay of Brick had to be euthanized, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. On May 4, Brick police were requested to respond to a residence on Mantoloking Road for assistance with removing an excessive number of animals from Finlay's residence. Police found 157 cats and three dogs living at the residence. The animals were transferred for treatment and evaluation to the Northern and…
Police & Fire
Couple Who Dumped, Ran From Feces-Covered Puppy At NJ Home Depot Face Charges
Charges have been filed against a couple who police say dropped a puppy covered in dried feces in a Home Depot parking lot in Central Jersey. Police did not identify the man and woman captured by surveillance footage running away from the lab retriever pup, who followed them into the Route 9 Home Depot store in Old Bridge, after dumping her in the parking lot on Friday evening, May 26. "The dog was wearing a red harness and covered in dry feces," police said. "They were driving a black Ford truck, which was pulling a black Griffin trailer. Later, the dog’s empty crate was found in the par…
Police & Fire
Details Emerge Around Widow Of NJ ‘Animal Whisperer’ Who Continued Vet Practice Without License
The widow of a revered North Jersey veterinarian known as the “animal whisperer” had help from two alleged co-conspirators from New York in continuing to operate her husband’s clinic without a license, it was recently revealed. Alia Muslih, 41, of Montclair originally was accused of posing as a veterinarian following her husband’s death in order to keep the Totowa Animal Hospital open. A massive 77-count grand jury indictment returned earlier this month in Paterson lays out additional details. Included are allegations that Muslih had help from Marco A. Gamarra, 64, of the Bronx and Yaser I…
Police & Fire
Teen Who Sexually Abused, Tortured Pet Cat To Death Indicted On Jersey Shore
The 18-year-old Asbury Park man accused of sexually abusing and then killing his pet cat has been indicted, authorities said. Bani J. Mezquititla was charged with two counts of animal cruelty accusing him of sexually abusing the cat and in the cat’s death, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said. An investigation into Mezquititla began on March 2 when a concerned citizen brought the dead cat to Asbury Park police headquarters. Police and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals determined that the cat had belonged to Mezquititla, who allegedly first pe…
News
Starved Puppy Dumped On Roadside Of Jersey Shore Town
An emaciated puppy dumped on the side of the road of a Jersey Shore town will get a second chance at life. The 8-week-old puppy, now called Matilda, was found "skin and bones" with labored breathing, and unable to lift her own head near Myrtle Avenue in Neptune on Sunday night, May 7, the Monmouth County SPCA said. 🚨 Seeking information on starved puppy left dying on the street 🚨 Late Sunday night, our Animal Control Division... Posted by Monmouth County SPCA on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 "On the brink of death," the puppy was rushed to the SPCA shelter for urgent medical care, shaking and…
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