Abused Puppy In Asbury Park Found With Lacerations, Head Trauma

ASBURY PARK, NJ - A ten-week-old puppy from Asbury Park was found by police last weekend with severe injuries including blunt force head trauma, multiple skull fractures and several lacerations on the face, authorities said.

The incident is one of two cases of “extreme cruelty” that was recently reported at the Jersey Shore, according to the Monmouth County SPCA Law Enforcement Division. Both cases are currently under investigation, and police are now seeking the public’s help for additional information.

The Asbury Park puppy, Laddy, was rushed to a 24-hour emergency hospital last weekend where he was stabilized and given pain medication until he was able to be transferred to the Monmouth County SPCA, authorities said.

The other case was reported out of Farmingdale, in which a good Samaritan discovered a litter of nine newborn puppies abandoned in a box and discarded with piles of trash at Collingwood Auction.

The litter of puppies was promptly recovered by the SPCA’s Animal Control division. Medical staff determined the puppies were approximately 24 hours old, still with their umbilical cords attached. The puppies presented with dehydration and lethargy and were immediately provided with heat and individual tube-feedings every few hours.

One puppy passed away; as of Wednesday, “the rest of the litter is slowly and steadily recovering,” according to a statement from the SPCA.

“The entire mission of the Monmouth County SPCA is to prevent cruelty to animals, and when we see cases like this, it immediately becomes the priority of our Humane Law Enforcement Officers,” said Ross Licitra, Executive Director of the Monmouth County SPCA. “We urge anyone who has information to contact us, as we can only create a better future for the animals of Monmouth County with the help and support of our surrounding communities.”

The Monmouth County SPCA’s Law Enforcement Division is currently seeking additional information regarding both of these cases. Those with information are urged to contact the Monmouth County Cruelty Hotline by calling 877-898-7297 or the Monmouth County Prosecutors Tip Line at 800-671-4400. All calls can remain anonymous.