South Jersey Woman Accused Of Killing 45 Dogs Faces More Charges

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A South Jersey woman who was previously charged in connection with the deaths of 44 dogs and the mistreatment of 161 additional dogs faces additional charges, authorities announced Thursday night.

Donna Roberts, 65, of Shamong, was additionally charged with three counts of animal cruelty (one third-degree and one fourth-degree) and 15 counts of unlawful confinement, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced.

Roberts appeared in court on the additional charges on Thursday. She was not detained, but as a condition of her release she has been forbidden from owning, possessing or caring for any animals, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Roberts is accused of failing to provide adequate shelter, food, water and appropriate and necessary living conditions for the animals, while knowing that she had a legal obligation to do so, the prosecutor’s office said.

Roberts was arrested on Nov. 13 and initially charged with one count of third-degree animal cruelty.

She was arrested after authorities executed a search warrant at her house and discovered 44 deceased dogs in freezer bags stored in freezers throughout her home.

Another 161 dogs were found living in inhumane conditions. Four of those dogs were in critical condition, and one of those dogs died. A necropsy performed on a dog that was rescued but subsequently died indicated that malnutrition was a contributing factor in its death, Coffina said on Thursday.

The remaining dogs were evaluated and treated at the scene. In the immediate aftermath, multiple agencies came forward to assist with the care of those dogs, many of which have since been adopted, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police, with assistance from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Burlington County Health Department.

The search commenced after Shamong passed an ordinance designed to protect animals from abuse, but some members of the public questioned, “what took so long?” during a meeting of the township committee earlier this month.

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The case, which is being prosecuted by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutors Nicole Handy and Douglas J. Bligh, will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment.

The attached image of Donna Roberts was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.