Haledon owners charged with animal cruelty after dog left outside in freezing temperatures

Lucas Frau, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·1 min read
19

Two Haledon residents were charged this week after a malnourished dog was found collapsed on the ground while left out in freezing temperatures, police said.

On Monday three police officers responded to a report of a dog that was left outside in below freezing temperature for an extended period of time. A young, gray pit bull was found collapsed on the ground upon their arrival. The dog was severely emaciated and showed signs of frostbite and hypothermia, according to Haledon Deputy Police Chief George Guzman Jr.

The owners Johanna Marie, 31, and Devon Johnson, 30, were charged with third-degree animal cruelty.

Elsa was found by the police outside in freezing cold temperatures. She is safe now and on the way to a short term foster home.
Elsa was found by the police outside in freezing cold temperatures. She is safe now and on the way to a short term foster home.

The dog is in stable condition, and once it has made a full recovery will be available for adoption through Jersey Pits Rescue, according to the Haledon Police Department.

Jersey Pits Rescue posted on its Facebook page that the dog, Elsa, is out of the hospital and headed to a short-term foster home. They will announce more updates when they are available.

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The Haledon Police Department's Humane Law Enforcement Officer April Latona led the investigation with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.

The Haledon Police Department stated they are committed ensuring the welfare and safety of animals within their community. Law enforcement "encourages all community members to report any instances of animal cruelty or negligence, emphasizing a clear stance of zero tolerance towards such behavior."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Haledon NJ police charge owners after dog left out in cold