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Article Archive > Keansburg woman faces four counts of animal cruelty Keansburg woman faces four counts of animal cruelty KEANSBURG - A 31 year-old woman has been charged with four counts of animal cruelty by the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for leaving two cats and two cats without adequate food or water for three days, officials said. Sulay Melendez, 80 Seeley Ave., left her two kittens and a beagle inside the house and her golden retriever outside from Friday to Sunday, said Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief humane law enforcement officer for the Eatontown-based SPCA. Amato said Melendez and her family had left Friday to travel to Dorney Park in Pennsylvania for the weekend. The SPCA received a telephone call from a neighbor informing them about the golden retriever locked outside without food or water. Amato contacted Keansburg Police on Saturday, who subsequently gained access to the house and rescue the animals. All four animals are being taken to the SPCA facility. Amato said he plans to issue Melendez four summons, each with a potential maximum fine of $1,000. "The dog was out there crying with no food, or no water," Amato said. "Obviously, whatever water or food was put out there a day before." Amato said he eventually contacted Melendez by telephone on Sunday. "She had no excuse," Amato said. "She said she couldn't find anyone to look after the animals." |