NJ Dog Breeder's Daughter Illegally Treated Puppy: Police

SHAMONG TOWNSHIP, NJ — The daughter of a woman who was found with 44 dead dogs in her home two years ago has been charged with animal cruelty, authorities announced.

Dawn Abrams, 46 of Shamong, has been charged with illegally treating a puppy with medication while falsely claiming to be part of an animal rescue group, according to New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan and Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina.

Abrams was arrested on Nov. 13 after police said they learned she had illegally treated a sick puppy she sold outside a pet store in Lumberton last month.

She had sold the Westie/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy mix while claiming to be part of an animal rescue group that had disassociated itself from her more than a year earlier, police said.

After buying the puppy from her, the customer had contacted Abrams to tell her the dog was sick, authorities said. She claimed to have consulted a veterinarian and obtained a prescription to treat the puppy, according to police.

She then gave the customer the medication with no veterinary information or dosage instructions, police said. The customer contacted police on Oct. 26. The puppy, which was two months old at the time of sale, has fully recovered, police said.

Abrams was charged with third-degree impersonation, third-degree unlicensed practice of medicine, and fourth-degree unlawful distribution of prescription drugs. She was released following a hearing in Superior Court in Mount Holly.

Abrams’ mother is Donna Roberts, who was indicted last year in connection with the deaths of 44 dogs that were found in freezer bags in her home last year in 2018. Read more here: They Thought It Was A Paradise. Then They Heard The Dogs Cry

Abrams joined her mother in a defamation lawsuit against an East Windsor blogger who went on a tirade after buying a dog from Roberts in 2010. The lawsuit was dismissed shortly after it was filed. Read more here: East Windsor Man Exposed Puppy Mill In 2010

Anyone who has experienced an unsatisfactory transaction with Abrams concerning the sale or placement of an animal is asked to call the New Jersey State Police Red Lion Station Detective Bureau at 609-859-2282.

See related:
South Jersey Woman Indicted After 44 Dead Dogs Found In Her Home
44 Dead Dogs Found In Freezers At South Jersey Home: Police
Number Of Dogs Found In South Jersey Woman's Home Increased