Update, 1/20/23: Happy to report that Coco has been adopted and is living the good life on a farm with her new family!
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SENIOR DOG LEFT OUT IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, OWNERS CHARGED
January 10th, 2023 (Eatontown) Animal cruelty charges have been brought upon two adults who left their senior Rottweiler outside, and in freezing temperatures, over the Christmas holiday.
Coco, a 10-year-old dog was left tethered by a short chain, with no food or water, and on a concrete pad with no protection from the elements. Iquan Carson and Shonquel Lindsey of Neptune vacated their home when their pipes froze and left Coco for 3 days and nights, each night with temperatures below freezing. Neptune Police were alerted and the Monmouth County SPCA Animal Control unit was dispatched to the scene. Coco was recovered and brought to the Eatontown shelter to be medically evaluated.
Coco was warmed up, given food, water, and a comfortable place to rest. Bloodwork later showed she may have kidney stones, as well as a genetic eye condition that affects her vision and is likely a result of careless breeding. Coco remains under the care of the Monmouth County SPCA and will continue to be monitored and treated as necessary. She is described as a gentle, loyal, and loving dog by her caretakers.
Ross Licitra, Executive Director of the MCSPCA says, “We can’t fathom what this sweet dog had been feeling when she was freezing on a concrete pad for days, it must have felt like a lifetime. This type of cruelty will not be tolerated and we will continue to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law – we are the leaders of Humane Law Enforcement in the State of New Jersey for this reason.”
Coco’s former owners will be charged with two counts of animal cruelty; (1) Cruel Restraint, (2) Failure to Provide Necessary Care. Coco is not yet available for adoption, but the shelter encourages interested families to keep an eye on social media postings and the website. To donate towards Coco’s care, along with the thousands of other animals being cared for at the Monmouth County SPCA, visit here: https://bit.ly/3sUE2mP