SPCA Moves Into Prosecutor’s Office With New Bill

FREEHOLD – The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) law enforcement arm is now headquartered with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

“Monmouth County residents are not going to notice any changes in the way animal cruelty cases are handled because the new law recognizes the successful model we have employed here for many years. It was designed with our input and real-world experiences,” Gramiccioni said.

While still Governor, Chris Christie signed a bill that moves law enforcement powers related to animal cruelty cases to county prosecutor’s offices.

Each municipality and police department must designate a municipal humane law enforcement officer and each county prosecutor must designate an Animal Cruelty Prosecutor to handle violations of animal cruelty laws.

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA) Humane Police Department is led by Chief Enforcement Officer Ross Licitra. Licitra is a retired Detective Lieutenant from the MCPO who also serves as the executive director of the organization.

“Our day-to-day activities will remain the same while we aggressively enforce animal protection laws. We will do our best to protect these vulnerable creatures who find their ways into our hearts and win their place in our family structures at home and in our neighborhoods,” said Licitra.

The second highest ranking humane law enforcement officer at the MCSPCA is Lieutenant Tom Nuccio, who is also a retired Detective Sergeant from the MCPO.

The county’s Animal Cruelty Prosecutors are Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Melanie Falco and Joshua Detzky. Falco also serves as director of the Office’s Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau, where Detzky is also assigned.

To report suspected animal cruelty call 732-542-0040.

Please note that the old hotline number is no longer in service.