Animals Die Too Soon: NJ's Recent Scary Cases Of Neglect, Abuse

One dog was left to drown in a cage that was floating in the water. Another died when the dog was left out in the heat.

And in perhaps the most damning of ways, state health officials wrote a report that slammed a New Jersey animal shelter for leaving cat vomit on couches and euthanizing animals too early.

Read more: Animals At NJ Shelter Died Too Soon, Other Alarming Issues, Report Says

Animal abuse and neglect cases continue to be a problem in New Jersey. And this summer, several incidents have been scary enough to compel New Jersey officials – and even police – to act.

Here are a few of the recent cases that drew headlines and required intervention from law enforcement and state health officials:

More Than 20 Deficiencies At NJ Animal Shelter: Cat Vomit, Animals Dying Too Early

In a report, the New Jersey Department of Health said many animals at the Hamilton Township animal shelter in Mercer County "were being euthanized before being held the required seven days after intake or impoundment."

"Records showed that numerous stray and surrendered animals that were received at the facility by animal control officers and other individuals were being euthanized within the mandatory seven-day holding period," the report said.

Cats also were euthanized with a drug intended for dogs, and there were several areas of vomited cat food in the older section of the facility where the resident cats roam, including on the window sill, carpeted cat furniture, and cardboard scratchers and on the carpet under the cat litter pan, according to the report. Read more here...

Man Wanted In Attempted Dog Drowning In Cage Turns Himself In

The man wanted for allegedly leaving a pit bull puppy to drown in a cage in the Shrewsbury River off Highlands turned himself this past week.

Aaron D. Davis, 36, of Long Branch, surrendered to authorities Tuesday morning in connection with the attempted drowning of "River," a dog found last week in a cage on a bulkhead in Highlands, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Late on Friday afternoon, Aug. 3, the county prosecutor issued a warrant for Davis' arrest in connection with the heinous crime that stunned Monmouth County. Read more here...

Dog Caged Outside In Heat Dies; Brick Man Charged: Police

A Brick Township man is facing animal cruelty charges in the wake of the death of his dog after it was left caged on a fire escape for several hours last month, police said.

Jonathan Correa, 29, has been charged with failing to provide necessary care to an animal, exposing an animal to adverse weather conditions, and failing to provide a shelter of the proper size and failing to obtain a dog license, Brick Sgt. Neal Pedersen said. Read more here...

Animal Hoarding Under Investigation, Resident Arrested: Howell PD

A Howell Township resident has been arrested in connection with an animal hoarding situation in Howell., township police said last week.

"Howell Police along with our partners at the Howell Office of Emergency Management, Monmouth County SPCA and Associated Humane Tinton Falls are currently on scene at a residence dealing with an animal hoarding/neglect investigation," police said in a post on Facebook. Read more here...

Photos taken by the Good Samaritan, via the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, of "River" after he was found in a cage.