A couple who moved from Roselle, New Jersey to Sandy Springs, Georgia on November 15th is now facing charges of animal cruelty for leaving their dog behind.
We can’t be sure what neighbors truly believed when 27-year-old Curtis Swan and 29-year-old Aaleyah Clay told them they were leaving but coming back for the dog at some point, but now it’s clear they had no intention of doing so in a timely manner.
Jon Snow
When someone finally called animal control, they rescued the dog, temporarily naming him “Jon Snow” (as a riff on John Doe).
Now we know the dog’s real name is Carter and that the husky was chained to a tree for 5 days before he was brought to the Newark branch of Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey. He was found with a bandage tied around a severe and bloody neck wound and a collar on top.
(And while there is a photo of the damage on Facebook, we feel that it’s too gruesome – and unnecessary – to post.)
The infected, open wound covered much of Carter’s neck when the animal control officer found the pup. Luckily, he’s now recuperating at a wildlife sanctuary called the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge.
Carter in limbo
While it’s clear Carter deserved a new home, because his owners have been charged with a crime, the law says he can’t be adopted out until the case is closed.
But he’s in good hands with rescuers, who are doing everything they can to give him the affection he deserves.
Nearly every photo of Carter shows an alert, bright-eyed young dog eager to play and on the fast road to recovery.
Investigating a crime
It should go without saying that you cannot leave a dog to fend for itself – either inside OR outside – for 5 days.
When animal control found the dog, the officer immediately reported the situation to the Roselle Police Department where Detective Ivan Romero led the investigation.
On December 3rd, they announced the couple would be charged with a crime.
A couple has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly leaving their dog tethered to a backyard fence after moving out of state, Prosecutor Ruotolo and @RosellePoliceNJ Chief Barnes announced. https://t.co/s1rtLk9aLK
— Union County Prosecutor’s Office (@UCPONJ) December 3, 2020
According to NBC Philadelphia:
“Swan and Clay are each charged with causing serious bodily injury to a domesticated animal by neglecting it and abandonment of a domesticated animal. They could each face up to five years in prison if convicted.”
According to Bored Panda, the sanctuary said Carter was getting daily laser therapy treatments on his neck wound and needed medications for pain and infection.
Animal Victory is currently circulating a petition for people to sign that asks prosecutors and the judge to impose the maximum penalty on the couple.
As of December 23, it was only 25 signatures short of the 15,000 needed to submit it to authorities.
It reads, in part:
“According to the prosecutor’s office, Swan and Clay are both charged with third-degree causing serious bodily injury to a domesticated animal via neglect, as well as abandonment of a domesticated animal, a disorderly persons offense…They must receive the maximum punishment for abandoning this dog! If no one had called, he would have suffered tremendously before dying alone in that back yard.”
Meanwhile, Carter is adjusting to life at the refuge quite well!
The most recent statement on Carter said “While he is still a bit of a nervous pup, he is extremely sweet, friendly, and happy, and we’re so proud of the progress he’s making.”
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