SPCA to File Civil Animal Cruelty Charge in Dog's Death

By Chelsea Naso

The Monmouth County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will file a civil animal cruelty charge against Dogs On The Farm, a pet care and boarding facility in Middletown, County SPCA Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato said Monday night.

Amato conducted an investigation on behalf of the SPCA when a six-year-old French bulldog named Bugsy died suddenly at Dogs On The Farm. According to Amato, Bugsy collapsed at the pet care facility after spending about an hour and a half playing outside during a heatwave.

The civil charge carries a maximum fine of $1,000 if Dogs On The Farm is found guilty. The facility could also be held responsible for associated costs to the Bugsy’s owners, such as the cost of the dog, vetting and the cost of cremation, Amato explained.

“I could have charged criminally also but I decided not to, because I don’t think it was intentional. I think it was an accident,” he said. “In other words, by leaving the dog out in the heat for an hour and a half, the dog succumbed because of the negligence of the owners of Dogs On The Farm.”

Amato said he would formally issue the charge in the morning.

When reached for comment on Monday prior to the SPCA's announcement that a civil charge would be filed, Jason Leipzig, an employee of Dogs On The Farm and the son of owner Karen Leipzig, said this was the first heat-related incident in the business' 11-year history.

"Everybody’s upset. No one wants to see anything happen to any of the dogs. Our primary concern is the general health and safety of the dogs," he said. "Our hearts go out to the Collins family (the dog's owners). They've bordered their dog Bugsy with us a number of times over the last three years."