Howell Fugitive Caught In 3 Month-Search After 4 Dogs Found: MCPO

HOWELL – A Howell woman charged with four counts of animal cruelty has been apprehended three months after four puppies were found dead, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced this weekend.

Tricia Jaccoma, 24, was apprehended on Friday after being a fugitive for nearly three months, according to the MCPO.

Jaccoma, along with Daniel McDonald, 25, were charged back in June with four counts of third-degree animal cruelty after four German Shepherd puppies were found dead on a property in Howell where they were temporarily residing, the MCPO said.

In addition to the animal cruelty charges, both McDonald and Jaccoma were additionally charged with multiple counts of third-degree receiving stolen property and possessing the stolen puppies from a farm in Somerset County, the MCPO said.

The remains of two deceased German Shepherd puppies were found in a fire pit on the property in Howell on Monday, May 18, the MCPO said.

The Howell Township Police Department and Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals conducted an investigation that led to the discovery of the remains of two more deceased puppies, which had been buried on the property, the MCPO said.

McDonald’s charges remain pending and he has been detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon since June 10th.