South Jersey Man Admits Punching Puppy In Front Of Daughter

PLEASANTVILLE, NJ — A South Jersey man admitted to several crimes, including beating a 10-week-old puppy in front of his daughter and assaulting Atlantic County officers in separate occasions, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

Gabriel Mojica, 36, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assaults upon law enforcement officers. At his sentencing set for April 10, the Pleasantville man faces five years in prison, authorities said.

The first of these offenses happened in September of 2022, when Mojica was seen beating a 10-week-old puppy named Scooby in front of his then 7-year-old daughter, officials said. Pedestrians who saw the beating called Atlantic City police and were interviewed as witnesses by officers. Mojica was then charged with animal cruelty and endangering the welfare of a child, officials said.

While these charges were pending, Mojica was caught in more criminal cases including possession of narcotics, contempt of a domestic violence restraining order and aggravated assaults on two Atlantic County Sheriff's officers, who were injured while performing their law enforcement duties, officials said. Further details about these cases were not shared.