2 dogs, caiman abandoned in home
Neptune, NJ (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005
County: Monmouth
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Michael Jackson
A 44-year-old township man faces animal cruelty charges after police and the Associated Humane Societies found two dogs and a caiman in an abandoned Oxonia Avenue home on the night of Nov 2, authorities said.
The two Staffordshire bull terriers and the caiman, a 2-foot-long reptile that resembles an alligator, were taken to the Humane Societies' Tinton Falls facility and were all in relatively good health, said Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief animal control officer with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The animals' owner, Michael Jackson, was not at home when police entered the house, and authorities were searching for him that Wednesday night. In addition to the animal cruelty charges, Amato said he would also charge Jackson with hindering his apprehension and interfering with an investigation.
Also, there have been several Monmouth County warrants issued for Jackson's arrest, Amato said.
The investigation by the SPCA began on Oct. 17, Amato said.
Following an anonymous tip, Amato went to the home and found one of the dogs in good health and well fed. Jackson was not at home, but in a telephone call, told Amato that he was in Louisiana helping with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
At the time, Amato also noticed a large, glass aquarium in the back yard, but Jackson told him he had sold the caiman to a Pennsylvania resident.
His sister, Jackson said, was feeding the dogs. Although he remained suspicious, Amato left, but kept the file open.
On Wednesday, Jackson's landlord called the police, telling officers his tenant had abandoned the house and the dogs were inside.
After officers opened up the home, they called Amato.
The two dogs were inside and in good health, but living in squalor. The caiman that Jackson had told authorities he had sold was also inside the home.
"It appears that Jackson's sister was feeding the dogs," Amato said. "He told me that he was in Louisiana, but he was really on the run." References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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