Business & Tech
Civil Animal Cruelty Hearing in Middletown Dog Death Scheduled
Dogs On The Farm faces a civil animal cruelty charge after a dog in their care died.
A hearing on the civil animal cruelty charge filed in the death of a dog staying at a Middletown pet care and boarding facility is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 16, according to Monmouth County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato.
Amato conducted an investigation on behalf of the SPCA when a six-year-old French bulldog named Bugsy died suddenly at Dogs On The Farm. According to Amato, Bugsy collapsed at the pet care facility after spending about an hour and a half playing outside during a heatwave. The charge was filed on July 23.
The civil charge carries a maximum fine of $1,000 if Dogs On The Farm is found guilty, Amato explained. The facility could also be held responsible for associated costs to the Bugsy’s owners, such as the cost of the dog, vetting and the cost of cremation, Amato explained.
Jason Leipzig, an employee of Dogs On The Farm and the son of owner Karen Leipzig, told Patch before the charge was filed that this was the first heat-related incident in the business' 11-year history."Everybody’s upset. No one wants to see anything happen to any of the dogs. Our primary concern is the general health and safety of the dogs," he said. "Our hearts go out to the Collins family (the dog's owners). They've bordered their dog Bugsy with us a number of times over the last three years."
The hearing will take place in the Middletown Municipal Court.
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