Dog neglected Villas, NJ (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 2, 2009 County: Cape May
Charges: Summary Disposition: Civil penalty imposed
Defendants/Suspects: » Sean Mulholland » Frank Mulholland
Sean Mulholland, of Town Bank and Frank Mulholland, of Villas, were each fined $550 in Lower Township Municipal Court Nov. 24 for animal cruelty plus a $543 animal shelter charge.
According to Lower Township Animal Control Officer Don Montgomery, on Oct. 2, Sean Mulholland's father, Frank, brought an American Bulldog to the county Animal Shelter claiming he found it roaming the beach in Villas. Montgomery said that was not true, the dog belonged to his son, who lived on West Jacksonville Avenue in Villas.
The dog was flea-infested and showed signs of mange, said Montgomery. The dog had raw spots on its skin, he said.
The shelter asked Montgomery to take the dog to a veterinarian. He said Sean Mulholland failed to provide medical care to the dog.
Montgomery requested the dog not be returned to the Mulholland family. The dog required pills in addition to external skin treatment, he said. The dog is ready for adoption at the county shelter.
Montgomery said the township is not going to tolerate animal neglect. He said there are programs available to assist those who have difficulty paying for veterinary care.
“My job is to educate the public and protect the animals,” said Montgomery. He said the township is cracking down on unlicensed dogs and animals running loose without a leash. References |