CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #4061 Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Dog slammed against ground, thrown over fence
Elizabeth, NJ (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 26, 2001
County: Union
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Melvin D. Coll
Melvin Coll, 19, admitted he punched the small mixed breed dog, slammed it to the ground and threw it over the fence. He pleaded guilty to a single charge of cruelty to animals.
Union County Prosecutor Thomas Manahan said the 364 day jail term was appropriate.
Manahan said, "This was reprehensible and brutal act committed against a helpless animal. I am grateful that the responding police officers, the investigating detective and the judge took it most seriously."
Elizabeth police officers Alfredo Beltran and his partner were on patrol near Third Avenue and Franklin just after Christmas Day ended when they heard a dog whimpering.
They saw Coll punch the dog, slam it to the ground and then throw the animal over a fence. As soon as Coll saw the officers, he ran into a home on Franklin Street. The officers followed Coll into the home and arrested him. The dog was found dead near the fence.
The detectives found out that Coll and his girlfriend had been arguing before he attacked her dog. It was determined that Coll had been drinking.
Judge Malone has ordered Coll to undergo a mental health evaluation efore his jail term ends.
References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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