Mr. Henry J. Brotnitsky pleaded guilty to cruelly killing an animal, is a third-degree offense.

July 1, 2007
CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
JOSHUA M. OTTENBERG, ACTING CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Acting Camden County Prosecutor Joshua M. Ottenberg reported today that sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2007, for a Winslow man who pleaded guilty this week to Animal Cruelty, admitting he electrocuted a dog after it was mauled in a dogfight the defendant staged at his residence in October 2005.

Henry J. Brotnitsky, 33, of the 100 block of Norcross Road, pleaded guilty on Monday, March 26, before Superior Court Judge William J. Cook. Under New Jersey law, animal cruelty, including cruelly killing an animal, is a third-degree offense.

Under a plea agreement negotiated by Assistant Prosecutor David Deitz, Brotnitsky will serve a five-year term of probation, including 364 days in the Camden County Correctional Facility. Brotnitsky must serve 60 of those days inside the jail, while the remainder can be served on house arrest or the county’s inmate work detail.

In addition, Brotnitsky must perform 30 hours of community service, forfeit his dogs to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) and forfeit his right to own dogs in the future. He must also pay restitution of $5,276 to the NJ SPCA for expenses related to the investigation and care of dogs found at his residence.

Based on information received, the NJSPCA Humane Police began an investigation in October 2005 into allegations of dogfights being staged at the defendant’s residence. Working with the Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police and Winslow Township Police, the NJSPCA Humane Police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence on Oct. 30, 2005. Investigators found 43 dogs, mostly mixed-breed pit bulls, in pens throughout the property. They also found issues of “underground” dogfight magazines and ropes hanging from tree branches, which are known to be used to train dogs to fight. Brotnitsky was arrested that night.
The investigation indicated Brotnitsky staged a fight between two dogs in the basement of his residence on Oct. 22, 2005, which numerous people attended, including some who bet on the outcome. The dog who lost the fight suffered extensive bite and claw injuries, investigation indicated.

Brotnitsky admitted in court this week that he then killed the dog with a homemade electric shock device fashioned from an electrical extension cord. The investigation also indicated Brotnitsky had staged a dogfight at his residence on at least one other occasion.

Ottenberg commended the NJSPCA Humane Police and its Executive Officer, Lt. Col. Sy Goldberg, for their work on the case. The Prosecutor also thanked and praised Prosecutor’s Office personnel who worked on the case, as well as the New Jersey State Police and Winslow Township Police for their assistance in executing the search warrant and arresting and processing the defendant.