Dog found dead in basement, jaw broken
Millville, NJ (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Nov 15, 2010
County: Cumberland

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Yolanda Howard

The SPCA that day added another inquiry to its agenda when a Millville landlord reported finding the Shih Tzu in the basement of an apartment at 431 North 2nd Street.

Greco said the tenant and dog's owner, Yolanda Howard, had recently been evicted from the apartment.

Howard called Millville Animal Control on Nov. 9, Greco said, saying she was about to be evicted and that she wanted the agency to pick up the dog.

Greco added that Howard then said she believed the dog was injured in the apartment's basement, and that she was afraid to go into the basement, although the reason for her fear was not clear.

Such a pick-up is not part of Animal Control duties, and an employee there told Howard she should take the dog to a shelter or a veterinarian.

It wasn't until Monday, when the landlord entered the apartment basement, that anyone reported the Shih Tzu dead.

"The dog was in terrible condition and extremely matted," Greco said.

She added that it had a broken jaw, among other apparent fractures.

The time of death and the exact cause were still unknown.

Howard will face abandonment charges at the very least, Greco said, and other charges may follow.

She said Howard was also investigated in October 2009, and she complied with a demand to have her dog groomed and treated by a veterinarian for an eye condition.

Greco added that the SPCA will continue to try to contact Howard to question her on the Shih Tzu's death.

References

« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Cumberland County, NJ

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