Pair Charged After 4 Puppies Stolen From Somerset County Farm Die

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A couple was charged with four counts of third degree animal cruelty on Tuesday after several puppies died in their care due to neglect. The puppies were reportedly stolen from a Somerset County farm, according to authorities.

The remains of four German Shepherd puppies were found on May 18 on a property in Howell where the couple were temporarily residing, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Daniel McDonald, 25, and Tricia Jaccoma, 24, were additionally charged with multiple counts of third degree Receiving Stolen Property as a joint investigation revealed the puppies were stolen from a Somerset County farm around May 12. The couple previously stayed at the farm before the puppies were stolen. McDonald was additionally charged with the disposal of the deceased puppies.

If convicted of any of the third degree charges, both parties face a sentence of three to five years in prison for each count. While McDonald was detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on June 10, Jaccoma is still a fugitive.

The investigation also found that the puppies were ill and struggled to breathe before their deaths, but the couple did not seek out veterinary assistance due to the costs associated with medical care. McDonald disposed of the bodies by tossing two puppies into a fire pit and burying the other two bodies on approximately May 16. A necropsy on the two buried puppies found that the dogs suffered from parasites and were severely malnourished with “no indications of recent nutritional ingestion,” according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Investigators also found that McDonald was in possession of a front end loader reported stolen out of Monroe and a generator reported stolen from South Brunswick. McDonald was charged with counts of second degree and third degree Receiving Stolen Property for the items.

Those with any information on Jaccoma’s whereabouts are asked to contact Humane Law Enforcement Officer Michael Magliozzo of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 732-995-0329 or Patrolwoman Heather Scherbinski of the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4111.

— Reporting By Nicole Rosenthal, Patch Staff