Toms River Woman Indicted In Deaths Of 3 Abandoned Dogs

TOMS RIVER, 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.

The three dogs were found dead on Nov. 11, 2019, when Lacey police were called to a home for a report that dogs had been abandoned there, authorities said. The 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.

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.

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