Three Egg Harbor Township men are charged with cruelty to animals after they allegedly left two dogs to die.
Police were called to Wilburforce Avenue for the report of two abandoned dogs, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
The two dogs were found tied to a tree in a wooded area. One was deceased and the other emaciated and in need of immediate medical attention.
An investigation found the dogs had been there for at least a week before police found them.
Derek Hardy, 58; Lassale Hardy, 56, and Shak Balayet, 51, are charged two third-degree crimes of cruelty to animals resulting in death or serious bodily injury. They also face disorderly persons charges of failure to provide care and abandoning a disabled animal to die in public.
They were released on summonses.
BreakingAC has learned that the surviving dog was surrendered by the owners and is expected to live.
The dog is at the Humane Society of Atlantic County and could eventually go up for adoption.
His nylon collar had to be cut off of him and the chain collar was partially embedded in the neck, according to a pot on the shelter's Facebook page. He was severely dehydrated and starved.
The joint investigation was conducted by humane law enforcement officers from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Prosecutor’s Office reminds the public that any pets that can no longer be properly cared for, or are no longer wanted, can be surrendered to the Atlantic County Animal Shelter in Pleasantville or the Humane Society in Atlantic City.
