Brick Man Charged After Dog Dies in Cage Left Out in the Heat

Brick Twp. Police car. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Despite the efforts of neighbors and Brick police officers to help save the life of a dog left out in Monday’s extreme heat, the canine died at a local veterinary hospital and its owner has been criminally charged.

Police say the dog, who most resembled a cane corso breed, was left outside in the blazing heat while locked in a cage on a second floor balcony of a condominium on Northrup Drive. Neighbors who spotted the dog called police at 5:48 p.m., and with their help, Sgt. Paul Catalina and Officer Keith Prendeville, both K-9 officers in the department, assessed the dog’s condition and tried to cool her with water.

The dog was ultimately lowered down in its cage to the ground and wrapped in a wet towel after its owner could not be located.  Prendeville carried the dog to Officer John Scott’s patrol vehicle and transported her to the Jersey Shore Veterinary Hospital on Route 70, Lakewood.  The dog was evaluated and treated throughout the night for life threatening injuries but, unfortunately, her condition deteriorated and she succumbed to her injuries early Tuesday morning.

As a result of the ensuing investigation, the dog’s owner, identified as Jonathan Correa, 29, was charged with failing to provide necessary care to an animal or living creature, exposing an animal to adverse weather conditions, failing to provide a shelter of the proper size and failing to obtain a dog license. Correa was processed at police headquarters and released on a summons pending a court date.

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The investigation is being conducted by Officer Jay Lampiasi and Officer Keith Donnelly of the Brick Township Police Humane Law enforcement division in cooperation with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office.

Lampiasi and Donnelly were recently assigned to the role of Brick Township Humane Law Enforcement Officer by Police Chief James Riccio. These positions filled a much-needed void brought about by the abolishment of the New Jersey S.P.C.A. Humane Police agency under state law.