N.J. Animal Control Officer Who Cut Baby Deer’s Throat Must Pay NJSPCA: Officials

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — How much is the life of an injured baby deer worth? About $3,500, officials say.

On Friday, the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) announced that on March 9 in Bloomfield Municipal Court, Vincent Ascolese, 50, an animal control officer who formerly served in Bloomfield, pleaded guilty to three disorderly person charges and was ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution to the NJSPCA.

The resolution of the case stems from charges filed in 2015 after Ascolese slashed the throat of an injured baby deer, killing it, the NJASPCA stated.

• See related article: Accused Deer-Killing ACO To Be Dumped: Bloomfield Seeks New Animal Control Service

“In June 2015, Ascolese was charged with animal cruelty for killing an injured fawn via exsanguination, or blood draining, a method of animal euthanasia which is not approved in the State of New Jersey,” said NJSPCA Chief Colonel Frank Rizzo. “At that time Ascolese was charged with needlessly killing a living animal and failure to provide necessary care. Over the last 18 months, the NJSPCA has worked closely with local prosecutors to bring this case to a resolution. We were confident when we filed the charges back in 2015 and remained confident as we moved this case through the judicial process. We are satisfied with the outcome.”

“No animal should have to die cruelly at the hands of someone entrusted with their safety,” said NJSPCA President Steve Shatkin. “The NJSPCA will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who brings harm to an animal, regardless of their title.”

Ascolese’s attorney, James Lisa, told Bloomfield Life that his client has been unfairly characterized as a result of the charges.

"[Ascolese] pleaded guilty to the improper disposal of an already dead deer," Lisa stated.

Ascolese’s animal control officer’s license reportedly shouldn't be affected by the guilty pleas; he still works for the North Jersey Humane Society, the attorney added.

File photo (not the deer killed): NJ DEP

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