Owner of dead dog charged
Thursday, August 9, 2001
FAIR LAWN -- A Municipal Court hearing is scheduled for noon Friday in the case against the owner of a dog found dead with its legs and mouth bound by tape.
Margaret P. Kaplan, 48, a nurse from Morris Plains, was charged by the Bergen County SPCA Law Enforcement Division with abandoning an animal near a road, and with unnecessary cruelty leading to the death of an animal.
Ray Koski, special prosecutor for the Bergen SPCA's law enforcement division, said the SPCA plans to bring additional charges against Kaplan at the hearing. He declined to elaborate. Kaplan's lawyer, Robert Warmington, did not return a call for comment.
Kaplan was identified as the dog's owner after a four-county investigation by Bergen County SPCA volunteers. Authorities said Kaplan told investigators that the collie mix, "Missy," had already died before she left her Feb. 28 in the woods of Dunkerhook Park in Fair Lawn.
Municipal Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol will hear the case Friday.
In New Jersey, unnecessary cruelty leading to the death of an animal is punishable by up to six months in jail, up to 30 days of community service, and a fine up to $1,000. Abandoning an animal near a road carries a fine up to $1,000. |
