 Recep Arslan already charged with cruelty.
Cops add 2 counts of needlessly killing animal.
By GINA VASSELLI
The Express-Times
Friday, June 15, 2007
A Liberty Township man now faces additional charges in the May 25 fatal shooting of his neighbor's dog.
Recep Arslan, 19, was charged Thursday with two counts of third-degree needlessly killing a live animal following an investigation by police and the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Sgt. Rothblatt, Investigator Dixon, Agent Larson and Lt. Rick Yocum along with New Jersey State Police trooper Riker arrested the Hackettstown High School student about noon Thursday at the school, police said. He was charged and released at the New Jersey State Police station in Washington pending a court appearance.
Arslan, who was previously charged with animal cruelty, allegedly used a pellet gun to shoot Rose Carolan's 9-year-old yellow Labrador, Maxie. The dog died the following day.
Police said witnesses helped identify Arslan and that he was cooperative.
An investigation by New Jersey State Police is continuing.
A state police spokeswoman said the state SPCA turned over its evidence to the state police to aid the investigation.
"We worked very closely with the state police throughout the investigation," said Matt Stanton, a spokesman for the state SPCA.
Stanton said Arslan will be charged in criminal court as well as civil court.
"We charge the individual in criminal court and charge them on behalf of the animal in civil court," Stanton said.
Carolan declined to comment, and Arslan did not return calls Thursday.
Stanton said any penalty is "up to the judge's discretion."
Stanton said a necropsy revealed the dog was shot with a pellet gun, but state police are continuing to investigate the incident, New Jersey State Police spokeswoman Jeanne Hengemuhle said.
The court date is set for July 3 at the North Warren Regional Municipal Court.
Gina Vasselli is a staff writer. She can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at gvasselli@express-times.com.
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