Princeton Man Indicted on Animal Cruelty Charges

A Mercer County grand jury on Tuesday indicted a 31-year-old Princeton man in a case of animal cruelty, his second such indictment this year.

The indictment charges Michael G. Rosenberg, of Birch Avenue, with two counts of fourth-degree animal cruelty, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. If convicted, each count carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

It is alleged that, on various dates between February and August 2012 in Princeton, Rosenberg purposely, knowingly or recklessly, tormented, tortured, or unnecessarily or cruelly beat his own mixed breed dogs, Kaiser and Sanford, according to the prosecutor's office.

According to complaints signed by Princeton Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson on Jan. 31, Rosenberg repeatedly picked his dogs up and threw them across the room, slamming them into a concrete floor.

Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Liccardo presented the case to the grand jury.

In February, a Mercer County grand jury indicted Rosenberg on a third-degree count of animal cruelty, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine.

According to the prosecutor's office, on or about Aug. 26 – 28, 2012, in Princeton Township, Rosenberg purposely, knowingly or recklessly, tormented, tortured, or unnecessarily or cruelly beat Shyanne, a three-year-old German Shepherd-mix breed dog, which resulted in Shyanne’s death. As a result of Rosenberg’s abuse, Shyanne suffered four broken ribs—one that punctured a lung—and hyperthermia.

According to the complaints signed by Johnson on Nov. 16, 2012, Rosenberg hit Shyanne with a crop whip, picked the dog up and slammed her on the ground, jabbed his fingers into the dog’s ribs, and did not seek medical attention for her.  

According to multiple press reports last fall, Tracy Stanton of Lawrence left Shyanne, a German Shepherd-mix, with Rosenberg after a friend recommended him as a dog trainer.

Two days later, Rosenberg called Stanton and said the dog needed vet attention. Stanton made the appointment, at which time Rosenberg instructed her to pick up the dog immediately. Fifteen minutes later, Stanton’s boyfriend arrived and found Shyanne unresponsive but still breathing on Rosenberg’s front porch.

The dog died before it reached the animal hospital. 

Rosenberg is listed on the New Jersey State police website as a tier 2 Megan’s Law offender. The website states that Rosenberg had consensual sex with a juvenile female acquaintance. The date of disposition was Nov. 9, 2011.