1 Dog Euthanized, 14 Others Being Treated After Found In Hillsborough R&B Singer's Home

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough R&B Singer Jaheim H. Hoagland was charged with animal cruelty after police say they found 15 dogs in varying stages of emaciation, without access to food and water.

On Monday at about 9:16 a.m., Hillsborough Township Police went to the area of River Road and Chamberlain Drive for a report of a puppy in distress, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

When police arrived they found six dogs in separate animal crates in the driveway of a Chamberlain Drive home. One of the dogs was initially unresponsive in a water-filled crate and had to be euthanized, said Robertson.

More dogs were found inside of separate crates which were partially filled with several inches of water and dog feces, said Robertson.

The homeowner, identified as Jaheim H. Hoagland, 44, of Chamberlain Drive, Hillsborough, was outside of the home and arrested for an unrelated Somerset County Violation of Probation Warrant, along with two active Municipal Court Warrants from Hillsborough Township and Newark.

While caring for the dogs, officers heard barking coming from inside the home and found nine more dogs inside in varying stages of emaciation, without access to food and water, said Robertson.

Two of the dogs were transported to AnimERge veterinarian for emergency treatment due to their poor condition, said Robertson.

In total there were 12 mixed breed Pitbull Terriers, two American Staffordshire Terriers, and one mixed breed Boxer found at Hoagland's home. One mixed breed Pitbull terrier was euthanized and the other 14 dogs were examined and released to Long Hill Kennel in Hillsborough.

Hoagland was charged with third-degree animal cruelty and failure to provide necessary care to an animal, a disorderly persons offense.

Hoagland was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.

Hoagland, an American R&B singer, also known as Jaheim, was signed by Naughty by Nature's Kaygee to Divine Mill Records in 2000, and released his debut album Ghetto Love in 2001. His third album, Ghetto Classics, released in 2006, debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, according to wikipedia.org.

The incident remains under investigation by the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Anyone with information relating to this event is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Chief Humane Officer at 908-575-3353 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at 908-369-4323 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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