Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Jonathon Correa, 31, of Brick, was sentenced on Friday, January 10, by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., to 270 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of four years of supervised probation as the result of a plea of guilty to Animal Cruelty in violation of N.J.S.A. 4:22-17c(2).
Correa will not be allowed to own any animals while on probation and must perform 180 hours of community service, the maximum allowed by law.
Correa’s community service cannot be served in any capacity with any organization where animals are involved.
Correa was also ordered to pay restitution to Brick Township in the amount of $1735.00 for veterinary bills incurred by the Township.
Correa pled guilty before Judge Ryan on September 30, 2019.
Police say on July 1, 2018 in Brick Township, Correa left his dog, Princess, a thirteen-month-old Pit Bull, unattended outside on his townhome balcony for hours.
The temperature reached upwards of ninety-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Several neighbors noticed Princess in distress and called Brick Township Police.
Princess was transported to Emergency Veterinary Service but succumbed to complications from heat stroke.
Prosecutor Billhimer would like to acknowledge the fine work of Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr, who handled the case on behalf of the State and the Brick Township Police Department for their assistance in bringing Correa to justice.