Dead dog, sick kittens spark NJ cruelty charges

🐶 A Monmouth County property owner is charged after a pit bull's remains were discovered in a garbage can at a Neptune City property.
🐱 Eight sick kittens and two underweight pit bulls were found living in filthy, neglected conditions and are now receiving veterinary care.
❤️ The Monmouth County SPCA says it's at capacity after rescuing 10 animals and is asking for donations to help cover their care.

NEPTUNE — A property owner has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after the remains of a dog were found in a garbage can, and several other animals were living in awful conditions in Neptune City, the Monmouth County SPCA has announced.

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Eight kittens and two pit bulls were found living in deplorable conditions, plus one deceased dog in Neptune and the property owner has been charged (Monmouth County SPCA)

Neptune City animal cruelty charges filed after anonymous tip

Darby Haigins of Asbury Park was charged by Neptune police with failing to provide necessary care, according to Monmouth County SPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra, who spoke to NJ 101.5.

It was a grim scene on Tuesday when police received an anonymous call from a resident who reported animals living in deplorable conditions.

Eight kittens were rescued from a filthy outdoor enclosure. All of them appear to have upper respiratory infections, fleas and ear mites, but they are now getting proper care, SPCA officials said on its Facebook page.

“While they are scared and confused, they all seem to be in good spirits and are happy to have a safe, comfortable space to live in,” Licitra said.

He said the kittens are getting the best possible care from the SPCA’s veterinary care team and he hopes to have them ready for adoption in the near future.

Neglected pit bulls rescued; dead dog discovered in garbage can

Two female pit bulls were found living in an overgrown chain-link pen with plastic dog houses and baby pools. But, they had no food or water, were underweight with overgrown nails, and were missing patches of fur.

Shelter officials also said the females looked as if they had been bred multiple times, but an ultrasound showed no signs of pregnancy. They also have skin masses from total neglect.

Despite their suffering, they are very friendly, Licitra said.

Sadly, another pit bull was found dead in a garbage can on the side of the house. While the cause of death remains unclear, SPCA officials say cruelty and neglect are obvious.

“What I’m understanding, is that the animal had a medical condition, possibly the bloat, and he (Haigins) didn’t do anything, take it to the vet or whatever, and it died as a result of it,” Licitra said.

The dog was just dumped in a trash can, which was horrendously bad because the smell of the corpse could be felt all the way down the block, with all this heat, Licitra added.

Monmouth County SPCA asks for donations after major rescue

The Monmouth County SPCA would like to thank the Neptune Township Police Department, the MCSPCA Animal Control, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office for responding quickly and expediting the animal cruelty charges.

Licitra is also reminding residents that the shelter is already at capacity and taking on 10 new animals in one day puts a strain on their resources. The shelter is asking people to make donations towards their care, if possible.

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