Dog attacked with machete
Vineland, NJ (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Apr 30, 2005
County: Cumberland
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Marcus Fennell
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Bridgeton dog named Merlin survived a machete attack in May 2005 and has been adopted. On Friday, July 15, a man stopped by the Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter to make a memorial donation.
During the transaction, he inquired about Merlin, who had been in SPCA custody for the past six weeks.
Back in May, the dog was removed from a Vine Street home after suffering two severe gashes across his head. Cruelty investigators credit emergency surgery with saving the dog's life.
The visitor was taken to the dog's pen to see Merlin, and in that instant something seemed to click.
The man, who asked that his name not be disclosed, returned over the weekend with his dog. The two canines got along fine.
As a result, in addition to a new brother, Merlin has a new owner and plenty of room to run in a fenced-in yard.
And SPCA officials said their wish had been granted.
"It's a happy ending," said Linda Catalano, the agency's executive director.
Marcus Fennell, 21, was charged with animal cruelty after the attack. He was released July 15 from Cumberland County Jail on his own recognizance pending a court hearing.
Case UpdatesA Superior Court grand jury indicted a Bridgeton man last Wednesday for admittedly slicing his mother's dog in the head with a machete. Marcus Fennell, 21, of Vine Street, was indicted for fourth-degree animal cruelty for the May 27, 2005, incident.
The dog, Merlin, had been barking and had tried to bite him, Fennell said, according to a police report.
Fennell was also indicted for third-degree resisting arrest and third-degree aggravated assault for allegedly scuffling with Bridgeton Police prior to his arrest.
As a result of the animal cruelty charge, Fennell could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted and up to $10,000 in fines.
For the resisting arrest and aggravated assault charges, he could face a state prison sentence of between three and five years.
A letter from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to Prosecutor Ron Casella sent last week urges the prosecutor to push for the maximum sentence for Fennell.
Cruelty to animals has only been an indictable offense since 2001, when legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Nicholas Asselta, then an assemblyman, was signed into law by then Acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco.
Further legislation signed in 2003 by then Gov. James E. McGreevey made animal cruelty that resulted in the animal's death a third-degree crime.
The bill was co-sponsored by Assemblymen John J. Burzichelli and Douglas Fisher.
As for Merlin, the canine made a full recovery and has since been adopted and is doing well in his new home, according to Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Executive Director Linda Catalano. | Source: Bridgeton News - Aug 8, 2005
Update posted on Aug 8, 2005 - 9:53AM |
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