Tornado Watch Loomed As 40 Dogs Were Dumped Across Sussex County: 5 Indicted, Prosecutor Says
Five people, including four members of the same family, have been indicted after more than 40 small dogs were abandoned across Sussex County during severe weather, leaving some dead and others badly injured, authorities announced Monday, Nov. 9.
Joshua Ciemniecki, 19, Francis Ciemniecki, 72, Cynthia Ciemniecki, 50, and Robert Ciemniecki, 74, all of Phillipsburg, along with Kaila McNeill, 30, of Stewartsville, were indicted by a Sussex County grand jury on Thursday, Nov. 5, Prosecutor Daniel M. Perez said.
The dogs, believed to be Chihuahua-Jack Russell mixes, were discovered in Stillwater, …
Browns Mills Husband-Wife Dog Rescuers Shoot Pitbull, Fake Cancer Death To Raise Money: Cops
A married pair of dog rescuers in South Jersey are facing animal cruelty charges after they kept dogs in deplorable conditions and euthanized animals illegally, including one they apparently shot dead and then faked cancer in the wake of his deat, authorities announced Thursday, Nov. 5.
An investigation into Thomas Thompson, 37, and his wife, Brooke Thompson, 34, both of Browns Mills, began after a woman told Mullica Township police a dog she was fostering was killed at her home by the couple, who operated Gone Rogue Girls Rescue, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and…
Maryland Man Torched Own Home, Left Five Cats To Face Flames Alone: Fire Marshal (Updated)
A Maryland man intentionally set his own garage ablaze, knowing five cats were inside the home, then left the helpless animals to fend for themselves as the flames spread, authorities allege.
Michael S. Satterfield, 66, of Salisbury, is accused of deliberately setting the fire that tore through his home in the 6000 block of Hunters Mill Drive on Saturday, Oct. 24, causing an estimated $175,000 in damage, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.
Investigators determined that the blaze originated in the home's attached garage, where flames quickly spread before approximately 40 …
Boxer Rescued From Millersville Home, Adopted After Owners Charged With Cruelty: SPCA (Update)
A starving boxer whose owner initially refused to surrender her from a Lancaster County home has made a full medical recovery and found a forever home, the Pennsylvania SPCA confirmed to Daily Voice on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Christina Lynn Parke, 36, and Jordan B. Tice, 45, both of Millersville, were charged following an investigation that began on Wednesday, Aug. 26, according to Millersville Borough Police.
The brown-and-white boxer-type dog was taken to the Pennsylvania SPCA's Philadelphia headquarters, where she recovered medically before ultimately being adopted, Gillian Kocher, the organ…
West Hempstead Synagogue Targeted By Would-Be Arsonist, Cops Say
A would-be arsonist tried to start a fire inside a Long Island synagogue, but his efforts failed and he ended up burning a bush, police said.
Azzm Khan, 29, of Lakeview, was arrested following the incident outside Young Israel of West Hempstead late Wednesday night, Oct. 21, the Nassau County Police Department said.
Cops initially responded to a criminal mischief complaint around 11:30 p.m. on Hempstead Avenue, where a Nassau County Police Department auxiliary vehicle’s side mirror had been damaged, police said.
While officers searched for the suspect, another man stopped them and reported…
Hummelstown Man Convicted Of Killing Neighbor's Labrador, Dumping Body 150 Miles Away
A Pennsylvania man who shot and killed his neighbor's 11-year-old Labrador retriever, then drove the dog's body approximately 150 miles away and dumped it in a field near his home, has been convicted following a second trial, prosecutors announced Friday, Oct. 16.
Robert J. Wallish III, 55, of Hummelstown, Dauphin County, was found guilty of felony aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor tampering with evidence after a Clinton County jury deliberated for approximately one hour, according to District Attorney Dave Strouse.
The verdict comes after Wallish's first trial ended in a mistri…
Dead Puppy, Fake Sex Ad: Naugatuck Woman Accused Of Targeting Animal Control Officer
A 35-year-old Connecticut woman who is facing animal cruelty charges is now accused of targeting an animal control officer who investigated her by using a fake online ad offering sex, police said.
Melissa Mae Ahlgren, 35, of Naugatuck, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 1, on three outstanding warrants. She is being held on $110,000 in bonds, police said.
The animal cruelty case began Aug. 6 after animal control learned that a 5-week-old puppy in Ahlgren’s care was seriously ill, police said.
Prospect Animal Control helped get the puppy to an emergency veterinary hospital, but its c…
17 Animals Found Without Proper Care At Condemned Corinth Home: Sheriff
An animal complaint in New York led to misdemeanor charges against two people after authorities said 17 animals were not properly cared for at a condemned home.
The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office was called to Angel Road in Corinth at 2:42 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown.
The investigation resulted in the arrests of Shannon M. Long, 31, of Hadley, and Michael L. Bovee, 47, of Corinth, on Saturday, Aug. 30.
Each was charged with 17 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals by failing to provide proper sustenance, a Class A misdemeanor, the sher…
Ledyard Man Admits Drowning Cat While Police Question Him On Unrelated Matter In Groton: Cops
A Connecticut man admitted to drowning a cat in a bathtub while officers questioned him about an unrelated matter, authorities said.
Travis N. Hyde, 53, of Ledyard, was speaking with Groton police shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, when he made the statement, Ledyard police said.
During the conversation, Hyde told officers that he had drowned the cat inside a Ledyard home. Police then contacted the homeowner, who reported finding the cat dead on the bathroom floor.
The homeowner told police that they believed Hyde had accidentally killed the cat, a police report said.
Hyde wa…
Mastic Beach Teen’s Sex Act With Dog Led To Arrest, More Charges Coming, SPCA Says
A Long Island teenager accused of sexual activity with a dog is expected to face additional criminal charges, officials announced Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Zachary Carlisle, 19, of Mastic Beach, was first arrested Thursday, June 4 and charged with sexual misconduct and sexual performance by a child offenses, according to the Suffolk County SPCA.
But a longer investigation has led to more charges against Carlisle, which will be revealed at a news conference on Thursday, Aug. 6, the SPCA said in a press announcement.
A complaint against Carlisle was first filed on Oct. 15, 2025, which accused him o…
Woman Left Baby, Dog Unattended In Vehicle At TJ Maxx: Middletown Police
A 39-year-old Keansburg woman was arrested and charged after she left a baby and a dog unattended in a vehicle on Thursday afternoon, June 11, authorities said.
At 3:43 p.m., officers responded to a TJ Maxx on Route 35 and found a one-year old baby boy crying and sweating in the backseat of a vehicle, Middletown Township police said.
The baby was brought to a patrol car to cool off in an air conditioned vehicle, police said.
Christine Joubert, the baby's mother, approached the vehicle, asking about her dog, which had been left in the vehicle but jumped out of an open window, police said.
…
Dog Thrown From Moving Truck, Found Malnourished, Injured In Dover: Police Seek Driver
A defenseless dog was tossed from a moving pickup truck and left hurt along a roadway in Pennsylvania, prompting a search for the driver responsible, authorities announced on Friday, May 1.
Officers responded to the first block of North Main Street in Dover Borough at 1:28 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, according to Northern York County Regional Police.
A witness told police they saw a white man driving a black Chevrolet pickup slow down, throw the female dog from the vehicle, and continue northbound, authorities said.
The witness rushed to help, retrieving the dog and calling 911.
Police foun…
Alicia Silverstone Teams With PETA, Offers Reward To Help Find Missing Virginia Baby Giraffes
Alicia Silverstone is stepping into a real-life Virginia mystery, teaming up with PETA to offer a $50,000 reward to help find two missing baby giraffes taken from the Natural Bridge Zoo, the group announced.
The "Clueless" star, a longtime PETA supporter, said she hopes the money will push someone to speak up quickly as the fevered search for the animals continues.
“Tearing babies away from their distraught mothers is devastating for both, no matter what species they are,” Silverstone said.
“These missing babies need specialized care, and every day counts in finding them, so I hope s…
