Woman Who Left 3 Dogs To Die In Lacey Home Gets Probation

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River woman who admitted she left three dogs behind to die when she moved out of a Lacey home in 2019 has received a sentence of probation, authorities announced Friday.

Allissa DeStefano, 30, received a two-year probationary term when she was sentenced Friday by Ocean County Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Prosecutors had argued for a sentence of 364 days in prison for DeStefano, who pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty in July, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The animal cruelty statute she was charged under, N.J.S.A. 4:22-17c(2), treats it as a third-degree crime when an animal dies as a result of an animal cruelty situation, under a change in the state's animal cruelty laws passed in 2017. Each count could result in up to 18 months in prison.

DeStefano also must perform 60 days of community service, and she has been banned from owning any animal for the rest of her life, Billhimer said.

Police were called to a home on Nov. 11 for a report that dogs may have been abandoned at the home. When police arrived, they confirmed the home was abandoned, and the remains of three dogs were discovered.

Authorities have never said how long the dogs had been alone in the house before they died.

DeStefano was arrested without incident about a week later and released on a summons.

The deaths of the dogs sparked outrage in the community and prompted a vigil at Gille Park in Lacey.

With reporting by Karen Wall.

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