2 Severely Matted, Underweight Poodles Found In Union County

ELIZABETH, NJ — An Elizabeth woman has been charged with animal cruelty for neglecting two of her pet dogs who had severe matting, were underweight and had waste stuck to their bodies, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Wednesday.

Maritza Acevedo, 45, is charged with two counts of fourth-degree animal cruelty.

When Acevedo turned over a pair of 2-year-old black poodles on Sept. 27 to the Elizabeth Animal Shelter, employees were so alarmed by the condition of the dogs that they alerted the Elizabeth Police Department, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Cronin, who manages the humane animal treatment subsection of the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Unit.

"Both dogs were so matted that they couldn’t see properly and had waste stuck to their bodies, and one of the dogs was severely underweight and could not keep food down," according to the report.

Due to the dogs' medical conditions, Acevedo was charged criminally. Acevedo could face between probation to 18 months in prison on the on fourth-degree crimes.

Anyone with information about similar incidents is urged to contact their local police department and request to speak with the assigned humane law enforcement officer.

(Images via Union County Prosecutor's Office)

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