Arrest Made After Caged Dog Found In Pond: Passaic Prosecutor

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — An arrest was made in the case of a puppy that was found submerged in a West Milford pond last week, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes announced.

Tonya Fea, 47, of Jefferson, was arrested Tuesday. She was charged with two counts of third-degree animal cruelty and defiant trespass, a disorderly persons offense, Valdes said.

The puppy was found in a submerged cage in a pond off of Bonter Road Wednesday, Valdes previously said. The puppy was taken to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory and a necropsy was performed.

Related: Dog Found In Submerged Cage In Passaic County Pond: Police

Based on the investigation, Fea was charged, Valdes said.

Fea faces up to five years in New Jersey State Prison on each count of animal cruelty and up to 30 days in the Passaic County Jail on the defiant trespass charge, Valdes said.

Fea was charged on a summons-complaint and released. She is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court May 22.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-370-7376 or email them at tips@passaiccountynj.org.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com