Members of the New Jersey State SPCA arrested a 36-year-old man they say burned two young dogs after dousing the animals with WD-40 two weeks ago, Investigator Scott Watkins said.
Ronald Fredericks, Franklin Avenue, was arrested following an investigation into the burnings of Poppy, an 18-month-old mixed breed, and Shadow, a 12-month-old black lab. Fredericks was charged with eight counts of animal cruelty and taken to Ocean County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail with no 10-percent option, Watkins said.
The SPCA responded to Fredericks' home after receiving an anonymous call regarding the dogs, Watkins said. Witnesses told Watkins that Fredericks set the puppies on fire on or about March 30 and had not sought medical attention for their injuries.
Both dogs were injured when Fredericks allegedly placed WD-40, a flammable liquid, on their heads and set them on fire, Watkins said, adding that Shadow received the most serious injuries of the two dogs.
"He was burned to the point where he had no ears," he said, adding that he was unable to tell if the dogs had been abused previously because of their current condition.
"They were badly burned," he said.
The dogs were taken to Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey, where they were treated by Dr. Sherry Podhany.
"They're doing a little better now that they're getting some care," she said. "Surprisingly, considering their injuries, they have good dispositions."
Podhany said the dogs are on pain medication and should be fine, although Shadow is missing the tips of his ears. She said the dogs will be treated and it will be up to the SPCA to determine if the dogs are given back to their owner or put up for adoption.
Because of the severity of the injuries, the animal cruelty charges were upgraded to the fourth degree, meaning Watkins faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted.
To contact the DA:
Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert Scott
Ocean County Prosecutor's Office
119 Hooper Ave. / PO Box 2191
Tom's River, NJ 08754
email: [email protected] Case Updates| Posted on Jun 2, 2005 - 11:44PM | | In November 2004, Ronald Fredericks of Seaside Heights was sentenced to 18 months in prison for dousing two dogs with lubricant and setting them on fire. Fredericks was denied parole in March by the state Parole Board. | | Source: Asbury Park Press - June 2, 2005 |
| Posted on Dec 29, 2004 - 3:17AM | Less than two months after a Seaside Heights man was sentenced to state prison for setting two dogs on fire, the state Parole Board has issued notice of his possible release as early as April.
Ronald Fredericks, 37, was sentenced to 18 months in state prison on Nov. 5 for setting two dogs on fire on March 30.
"Talking about parole already is a little shocking," said John Bergmann, director of the Associated Humane Societies' Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey, where the dogs were taken to recuperate.
"The dogs stayed in a basement without any veterinary care for two weeks," Bergmann said of the fate of the animals before they were removed from Fredericks' home on April 12 by Scott Watkins, an investigator for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The two dogs had been doused with WD-40 lubricant and set on fire. The act was characterized by Watkins as the most heinous he had ever seen committed against animals. The case evoked strong emotions from animal lovers across the globe.
When Superior Court Judge Vincent J. Grasso imposed the prison term on Fredericks, he noted that he received "volumes" of letters about the case from people in 19 states and one from Australia. And he said photographs he viewed of the dogs after they were burned were "heartbreaking."
Now the Parole Board has issued notice that early next year it will consider whether to release Fredericks from prison by his first possible parole date of April 25.
The parole eligibility date takes into account the 101 days Fredericks spent in the Ocean County Jail awaiting disposition of his case.
The sentence Grasso imposed on Fredericks for two counts of animal cruelty that he had pleaded guilty to did not include a mandatory minimum period Fredericks would be required to serve before being considered for parole.
Parole Board spokesman Edward Bray said a parole hearing has not yet been scheduled for Fredericks.
"It could happen any time between now and early April," Bray said.
First, Fredericks would be evaluated by a hearing officer who would decide whether to refer a decision on his possible release to a two-member panel of the Parole Board or to make a recommendation which the Parole Board could accept or reject.
If Fredericks is released on parole, he would be supervised by a parole officer, Bray said.
If Fredericks is not released on parole, he would complete his term on Oct. 24, Bray said. That means he would be released into the community without any supervision, he said.
Under the sentence imposed by Grasso, Fredericks would be banned from owning animals while on parole.
During court proceedings on the matter, Fredericks said he suffers from alcoholism and that one of the dogs, Shadow, whom he was watching for neighbors who were traveling out of state, accidentally caught fire while he was drinking beer, cleaning tools and trying to light a cigarette. But Watkins has maintained that did not explain how Fredericks' own dog, Poppy, was burned.
Fredericks is serving his term at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton in Cumberland County, which offers substance-abuse treatment programs, among other services.
Shadow, a female shepherd-chow who was 6 months old when the incident occurred, was more seriously burned, with extensive damage to her ears and face. Poppy, a 2-year-old, female Pekingese, also suffered burns to her ears. Both dogs have areas where their fur won't grow back, according to officials at the Popcorn Park Zoo.
Both dogs have recovered from their injuries. Poppy was adopted in October. However, Shadow cannot yet be adopted because she is still very apprehensive around people, according to the zoo's Bergmann.
"Her rehabilitation is going to be longer than his (Fredericks')," Bergmann said. "Hopefully she'll be able to be adopted before he gets out."
Anyone wishing to submit comments to the Parole Board on Fredericks' possible release should do so in writing before Jan. 13. Comments may be sent to:
New Jersey Parole Board
P.O. Box 862
Trenton, NJ 08625 | | Source: Asbury Park Press - Dec 19, 2004 |
| Posted on Nov 9, 2004 - 6:40PM | An Ocean County man who burned the ears off two small dogs was sentenced Friday to 18 months in prison.
Superior Court Judge Vincent J. Grasso imposed the maximum sentence on Ronald Fredericks of Seaside Heights. The judge also ordered Fredericks to pay $5,611 in restitution to the Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey Township to cover the cost of caring for the animals.
"It was a just result, considering the seriousness of the injuries to the animals," said Ocean County Executive Assistant Prosecutor Robert Gasser. "It should send a message to other people that you don't treat animals in such a cruel manner."
Fredericks, 36, had pleaded guilty to animal cruelty stemming from the March 30 incident.
Authorities said Fredericks doused his 2-year-old Pekingese, named Poppy, and Shadow, 7-year-old chow-shepherd mix, with a solvent and set them afire.
Fredericks initially claimed the fire started accidentally when he was cleaning tools with the solvent and lit a cigarette with the dogs nearby. | | Source: PhillyBurbs.Com - Nov 5, 2004 |
| Posted on Sep 1, 2004 - 6:24PM | | An Ocean County man has admitted he injured two dogs by setting them on fire in March. Ronald Fredericks faces up to 18 months in prison when he's sentenced for animal cruelty in November. Authorities said the Seaside Heights resident doused his 2-year-old Pekingese and a 5-month-old chow-shepherd mix with a lubricant and set them afire. Fredericks initially said the fire started accidentally when he was cleaning tools. The animals suffered burns to their ears and faces, but survived. | | Source: NBC San Diego - August 31, 2004 |
| Posted on Jun 14, 2004 - 9:15AM | Ronald Fredericks has been jailed after missing a court date.
Ronald Fredericks, 36, of Seaside Heights, surrendered Friday, June 11, 2004 and was being held in the county jail after failing to post $20,000 bail. A judge issued a warrant for Fredericks' arrest Wednesday after Fredericks missed a prearraignment conference. |
| Posted on Apr 16, 2004 - 4:52PM | Fredericks was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on four criminal counts of animal cruelty after he allegedly set his two dogs on fire. Fredericks told Ocean County Superior Court Judge James N. Citta that he did not intend to burn his dogs and that the incident occurred when he lit a cigarette while handling his tools.
"I didn't really do it on purpose," Fredericks said minutes before he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs and a tan prison outfit. "This is totally an accident."
Even as he was notified of his constitutional right to remain silent during the arraignment, Fredericks told the judge, "It wasn't meant to be done like that."
Citta raised Fredericks' bail from $5,000 to $50,000. Fredericks, who said he is seeking representation by a public defender, is being held in the Ocean County jail.
Before the arraignment, Fredericks repeatedly was warned by a court officer not to chat with the other handcuffed suspects seated in the jury box.
Later, when Citta called on him, Fredericks rose, faced the judge and disclosed that he is hyper, tends to drink a lot, did part-time work and "felt so much pain for the dog," although he did not say which one.
"Anything else you want to explain?" the judge asked, ending their exchange.
"No, sir, I'm done," Fredericks replied.
Authorities believe the dogs were burned about two weeks ago, but the incident was not reported until several days ago.
Each animal cruelty charge, a fourth-degree offense under state law, carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a fine. Fredericks also was charged with four disorderly persons counts, quasi-criminal charges that are heard in local municipal courts instead of the county courthouse, said Robert Gasser, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
Read more: Back to Top| Posted on Apr 13, 2004 - 12:32PM | | Ronald Fredericks of Seaside Heights is scheduled to face arraignment on animal cruelty charges this afternoon. |
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