HOWELL – A township woman was apprehended after being charged with four counts of animal cruelty in June according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Tricia Jaccoma, 24, was apprehended on September 4. She was a fugitive for nearly three months along with Daniel McDonald, 25, who were both charged back in June with four counts of third degree animal cruelty.
The charges were made in relation to the deaths of four German Shepherd puppies found deceased on a property in the township where they were temporarily residing.
Along with the animal cruelty charges, Jaccoma and McDonald were also found in violation for failing to provide the puppies with the necessary care.
They were both additionally charged with multiple counts of third degree receiving stolen property, for being in possession of the stolen puppies from a farm in Somerset County.
The remains of two deceased German Shepherd puppies were found in a fire pit on the property in Howell on May 18.
The Howell Township Police Department and Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Law Enforcement Division, conducted an investigation, which led to the discovery of the remains of two more deceased puppies which had been buried on the property.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office acknowledged the assistance of the U.S. Marshalls NJ/NY Regional Fugitive Task Force for their efforts in finding and apprehending Jaccoma who will have her first appearance on September 6.
McDonald’s charges remain pending and he has been detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon since June 10.
Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibility and Bias Crimes Unit, and liaison to the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Law Enforcement Division has been assigned to this case.
