Toms River Woman Indicted For Leaving 3 Dogs To Die In Lacey Home

LACEY, NJ — A Toms River woman has been indicted on animal cruelty charges in connection with the deaths of three dogs found abandoned in a home in Lacey in 2019, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

Allissa DeStefano, 30, was indicted Wednesday on three counts of animal cruelty, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Police were called to a home on Nov. 11, 2019 for a report that dogs may have been abandoned at the home. When they arrived, they confirmed the home was abandoned, and the remains of three dogs were discovered.

An investigation by Lacey police and the prosecutor's office found DeStefano was responsible for the care of the dogs and had abandoned them in the residence, which resulted in their death.

Authorities have not given an estimate of how long the dogs had been left at the home.

DeStefano was arrested without incident about a week later and released on a summons.

The deaths of the dogs sparked outrage in the community and prompted a vigil at Gille Park in Lacey.

The animal cruelty statute she was indicted under, N.J.S.A. 4:22-17c(2), treats it as a third-degree crime when an animal dies as a result of an animal cruelty situation. Each count could result in up to 18 months in prison.

Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr is handling the case on behalf of the state.

With reporting by Karen Wall.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.