Dog abandoned in woods Eatontown, NJ (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Dec 8, 2009 County: Monmouth
Charges: Summary, Misdemeanor Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Stephen Wilkerson
Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato of the Monmouth County SPCA said a Neptune man was charged with abandoning his dog.
According to Amato, Stephen Wilkerson, of Neptune, came to the Eatontown shelter on Dec. 8 to surrender his female American pit bull.
Amato said he was informed that he would have to make an appointment to do so and that there was a wait of a week. He was also informed that the dog could be surrendered immediately at the Associated Humane Society Shelter on Shafto Road.
According to Amato, Wilkerson left and drove to Old Deal Road in Eatontown, and was seen by a witness allegedly taking the dog into the woods, running back to the car and leaving.
The witness took down the license plate number and called Eatontown police, who intercepted Wilkerson and detained him, Amato said.
MCSPCA Law enforcement personnel and Eatontown police placed him under arrest. Wilkerson was charged with four counts of animal cruelty, one criminal and one civil count for abandonment, and one criminal charge and one civil charge of abuse of a living creature.
According to Amato, the charges carry a minimum of $2,000 in fines. A court date will be set in Eatontown. Amato said the young female pit bull is at the shelter and available for a foster home. References |