Crime & Safety

Howell Man Charged with Animal Cruelty After Father Finds Dog Dead in Truck

The Howell resident had allegedly left the dog in his truck for two days while in New York City.

A Howell man has been charged with animal cruelty after his dog was discovered dead in his truck on Sunday, the Asbury Park Press is reporting.

Patrick Vansaghi, 26, of Friendship Road, was arrested and charged with two counts of animal cruelty, according to the Monmouth County SPCA, after his father found his lab-pit mix dead in his pickup truck after being left behind while Vansaghi was allegedly in New York City for two days.

The dog, named Mischief, was taken to the Red Bank Animal Hospital for testing. A court date will be set for later in the month at the Howell Township Municipal Court.

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Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Victor “Buddy Amato, Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the Monmouth County SPCA at 732-312-7153.

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