Monmouth Prosecutor Ready To Take On Animal Cruelty Enforcement

FREEHOLD, NJ — Animal cruelty enforcement should continue without any issues in the wake of the passage of the law shifting that responsibility to county prosecutors' offices, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said Tuesday.

“Monmouth County residents will likely not notice any significant changes in the way animal cruelty cases are handled as a result of this legislation, because this new law recognizes the model we have employed here for many years," Gramiccioni said. "This law was designed with our input and real-world experiences."

Under the newly revised statute, the power of humane law enforcement was transferred from the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) to county prosecutors.

Each municipality and police department will be required to designate a municipal humane law enforcement officer. The law also requires each county prosecutor to designate an animal cruelty prosecutor to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases.

“Our office already has an assistant prosecutor assigned to these types of cases," Gramiccioni said. "This is something we have been doing for years in Monmouth County and it provides additional leverage for prosecution in extreme cruelty cases, where we can indict and convict those who commit heinous acts of cruelty on defenseless animals."

The Monmouth County SPCA's Humane Police Department is led by Chief Enforcement Officer Ross Licitra, a retired detective lieutenant from the Monmouth County prosecutor’s office, Gramiccioni said. Lt. Tom Nuccio, the second-highest ranking officer at the Monmouth County SPCA, also is a retired detective sergeant from the prosecutor’s office. Both retired in 2011.

The prosecutor's office said a 2017 year-end review of animal cruelty cases in Monmouth County showed there were 425 calls placed regarding animal cruelty cases, and there were 14 convictions for animal cruelty-related offenses. A total of $19,855 in fines for violations was imposed with an additional $5,568 in civil penalties.

“I am proud that our cooperative partnership in Monmouth County contributed to this new law and will serve as a model for other counties in their humane law enforcement efforts," Gramiccioni said. "Having law enforcement professionals focused on animal safety protects our fur families and holds those who commit crimes against these living beings more accountable."

To report suspected cruelty to animals in Monmouth County, call the county SPCA at 732-542-0040.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Photo via Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Facebook page