Authorities are investigating two recent instances of animal cruelty in Monmouth County, one of which resulted in the death of a newborn puppy.
In one incident, nine day-old puppies were found Sunday in a box near piles of trash at Collingwood Auction and Flea Market in Howell, the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.
After someone came across the puppies — some of which still had their umbilical cords attached — the lethargic and dehydrated dogs were brought in for care, the SPCA said. While one dog died, the others are in stable condition are receiving regular tube feedings, officials said.
“It’s kind of a bizarre situation — that’s not a normal place someone would abandon a box of puppies — there’s a lot of foot traffic there on the weekend,” Monmouth County SPCA Chief Ross Licitra said by phone Friday. “Someone was rummaging through junk piles and saw a box moving.”
Licatra said the Associated Humane Societies in Tinton Falls was notified before the the SPCA was brought in to care for the puppies.
“They’re on the road to recovery,” Licatra said of the eight surviving puppies.
Meanwhile, in Asbury Park, a police officer learned of a badly beaten 10-week old puppy late Saturday. The dog had multiple skull fractures that caused “excessive head and face swelling” as well as lacerations on his face, neck and ears, officials said.
“Laddy is being monitored around the clock for bleeding and/or swelling and receiving pain management to keep him comfortable as we hope for him to heal,” the SPCA said.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the Monmouth County Cruelty Hotline by calling 877-898-7297 or the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s tip line at 800-671-4400. All calls can remain anonymous.
