AR-News: (NJ - US) Woman to pay $900 fine for allowing Pekingese to freeze to death

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

Woman to pay $900 fine in animal cruelty report 


Tuesday, March 09, 2004

CLAYTON -- A borough woman has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after investigators found the frozen body of a Pekingese dog on her property in January. 

In a judgment rendered on Monday, Patricia Wynavage, 49, of West Clayton Avenue, was sentenced to 30 days community service, 30 days suspended jail time, and $900 in fines and penalties, according to John Micklewright of the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 
 
She is also not allowed to own an animal for five years. 

Investigators found the dog tied up and dead in the snow on Jan. 30, Micklewright said. The dog was left outside with no shelter. 

Micklewright said a dog house helps build up body heat that protects the animal during cold weather. 

"The SPCA feels strongly that if you're keeping your dog out for long periods of time, especially when it's cold, you've got to have a dog house," Micklewright said. 

He said the SPCA occasionally comes across similar cases in the state. 

"We run into them now and then, but a lot of times these things go unreported," he said. He urges anyone who witnesses animal cruelty to call the SPCA at 800-582-5979.