Success: Suspect in Scarred Dog Abandonment Case Indicted

Target: William E. Reynolds, Atlantic County Prosecutor, New Jersey

Goal: Support indictment of suspect on several animal cruelty charges.

This ForceChange petition recently brought attention to a deeply troubling series of events out of New Jersey. Workers at an Atlantic City humane society discovered three pit bulls that had reportedly been tossed over the society’s fence during the dead of night. The disturbing incident escalated a few months later when a fourth dog, named Brenda, was apparently thrown over the same fence. A veterinary examination reportedly revealed chemical burns across Brenda’s back, which left permanent scarring. A suspect, Jahlil McNeal, was accused of abandoning all four dogs and subsequently charged with animal cruelty.

Recently, McNeal went before a grand jury. His fellow citizens returned with a damning indictment of the man. The jury found sufficient evidence to move forward on multiple charges, including abandonment of each of the four animals and failure to secure veterinary care for Brenda. The grand jury also returned indictments for theft of services and witness tampering in this case.

Sign the petition below to thank the prosecutor responsible for seeing this case through and for pursuing justice.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Prosecutor Reynolds,

Animal cruelty is a crime that too often goes unnoticed and unpunished, despite the fact that animal abusers often are statistically more likely to escalate to crimes against humans. Neglect and abandonment are treated even less seriously. The case of Jahlil McNeal could have fallen into this familiar pattern, but you have remained vigilant in pursuing these charges months later.

Thank you for presenting a strong enough case for a decisive grand jury indictment, and thank you for your legal advocacy of living beings without a voice.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Bethany Ellis