Long Branch Man Convicted Of Nearly Letting Caged Puppy Drown

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A Long Branch man was convicted of animal cruelty, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday. Aaron D. Davis locked an 8-month-old pit bull in a cage last year and left the dog to drown.

A jury found Davis guilty of fourth-degree animal cruelty after a three-day trial. He faces up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 30 days of community service. He is scheduled for a Feb. 14 sentencing.

The jury determined Davis didn't try to kill the dog, according to the Asbury Park Press. So Davis was acquitted of third-degree attempted animal cruelty, for which he would have faced up to five years in prison.

A passerby spotted a dog in a crate on a small portion of sand between the bulkhead and water at about 6 a.m. on July 30, 2018. Jennifer Vaz was walking her boxer, Molly, when she and Molly heard whimpering near a jetty rock. Vaz rescued the dog — now named "River" — who made a full recovery.

Davis took the puppy after a domestic dispute earlier that morning, the MCPO said. Highlands police responded to the incident and shot video of the puppy, which helped in identifying him when he was rescued.

“If it were not for the passerby’s actions, the dog would have likely drowned due to the rising tides,” said Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

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