Dog shot through the neck
Woodbury, NJ (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004
County: Gloucester
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Thomas Jones
A Carpenter Street man accused of shooting a dog through the neck last week has been charged with an animal cruelty offense, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officials said Monday.
Thomas Jones of Carpenter Street was charged with a disorderly persons offense following an SPCA investigation.
"It was a needless shooting. It was reckless," said Stuart Goldman, special investigator for the state SPCA.
Jones was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and disorderly conduct after police said he shot a pit bull/ Labrador mix named Brutus through the neck with a gun Wednesday morning.
Jones posted $5,000 bail and was released.
Police said Jones was walking his dog on Carpenter Street when Brutus left an open gate in his owner's Mantua Avenue yard and "sniffed" Jones' dog. Jones then pulled out his gun and shot Brutus once through the neck though there was no attack on himself or his dog, police said. Brutus survived the shooting.
Because Jones is a former Camden police officer, state law allows him to carry a firearm, Woodbury Police Chief Reed Merinuk said. However, police confiscated his gun and are recommending his permit be revoked.
The animal cruelty charge is punishable by a fine, 30 days of community service and up to six months in jail, Goldman said.
The case is pending grand jury. References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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