January 20, 2016
Atlantic County SPCA/Facebook
The SPCA says "Monica" was removed from a property in Atlantic County after she was found in poor condition. She was rushed to the vet, where she later passed away, they said.
The Atlantic County SPCA says it will file charges against the owners of two dogs who died after being left outside during dangerously cold temperatures in South Jersey earlier this week.
Investigators say they responded on Monday to an anonymous call of a puppy frozen in its doghouse.
When they arrived at the home, located off Jackson Road in Buena Vista Township according to NBC10, they said they discovered the puppy, dead, and a second dog in poor condition.
The second dog, "Monica," was removed from the property and rushed to the vet, where she passed away during the evening, the SPCA said.
"Our hearts are truly broken over this tragedy," the SPCA said in a Facebook post.
"If there is anything positive to take away from this, it is that before she passed, 'Monica' was wrapped in a warm blanket, pet, loved, and even cradled in our arms, crossing the Rainbow Bridge comfortably."
Atlantic County SPCA agents say they respond to an average of 10 to 15 new complaints of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect every week, of which, most are complaints of dogs living outside. During times of extreme weather, the number of complaints regarding dogs living outside doubles.
The National Weather Service on Tuesday expressed "high confidence" for a major winter snowstorm over the weekend.
"Please bring your animals indoors," Atlantic County SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agent Kate Warden told NBC10. "There is no excuse to have more animals dying in this extreme cold weather."
Investigators say they plan to file charges after the results of the necropsies (animal autopsies) are revealed Wednesday.
