A crack in the ice on the Toms River where a vehicle fell through, Feb. 28, 2015. (USCG Photo)
New Jersey’s humane police, the law enforcement arm of the NJ SPCA, will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a dog inside a truck that sunk in the Toms River after it was driven onto the ice by a 27-year-old man.
Capt. Rick Yokum said in a statement Sunday night that the dog, a boxer mix, was found dead by state police divers Sunday afternoon.
“The NJSPCA responded and is investigating the death of this dog,” said Yokum.
The pickup truck was the subject of a 10 hour-long search by police, who were called to the banks of the river after witnesses saw the vehicle drive onto the ice and do “donuts” in the middle of the river. Around midnight, police officers lost sight of the vehicle’s headlights and brake lights, prompting the search.
Two people voluntarily turned themselves into police Sunday afternoon; the car was found Sunday morning around 10:20 a.m. with no one inside, except the deceased dog.