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CRAIG COOKE facing charges after he murdered an innocent dog in Hunterdon County

Writer: voiceforusvoiceforus
Aug 24, 20242 min read

- New Jersey, USA -

 

A joint statement by the Readington Township Police Department and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced that 30-year-old CRAIG COOKE is facing charges in connection with the shooting of an innocent dog that resulted in the dog’s death.

 

The furvictim was a male Pitbull named Remi.

 

On the early afternoon of August 12, 2024, members of the Readington Township Police Department responded to a dog-sitting business on 523 Flemington Whitehouse Road for a report of a weapon being fired. The business is owned by 30-year-old Kalli Hartman.

 

Hartman told police that a Pitbull, Remi, began attacking another dog and she and COOKE believed Remi was being aggressive towards her, so COOKE shot Remi.

Remi did not survive the shooting and sadly lost his precious life.

 

Friends of Remi’s family told News 12 that COOKE had been pet-sitting and that Remi’s family found the business on the app Rover. Reportedly, Remi was dropped off on Saturday, August 10, 2024, and was killed the following Monday.

 

According to News 12, Remi’s family posted that he was shot in the head and as per News 12, they  weren’t “even allowed to go say goodbye to Remi or be with him, because the injuries were just too gruesome.”

 

Kay, co-founder of Jersey Pits Rescue who knew Remi, told News 12 that “Remi was a beautiful, kind, gentle soul too pure for this Earth, honestly. He didn’t deserve any of it. I feel like they did what they did, and they’re just taking the fact that he’s a pit bull and using it to their advantage to say, ‘Oh, we felt threatened’.”

 

On August 22, 2024, COOKE was charged with one count of third-degree animal cruelty and one count of second-degree possession of a weapon.

 

If you have any information regarding this investigation, contact the Readington Township Police Department at (908) - 534 - 4031. Thank you!

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the news release by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

Remi’s pictures shared from News 12




 
 
 

FRANKLIN C. ZEIGLER III charged with decapitating a defenseless seagull

Writer: voiceforusvoiceforus
Jul 23, 20242 min read

Updated: Jul 26, 2024

- New Jersey, USA -

 

On July 6, 2024, the North Wildwood Police Department responded to Morey’s Pier, at 2501 Boardwalk Avenue for an animal cruelty incident.

 

Officers learned from witnesses on scene that a male had decapitated a seagull.

Witnesses identified 29-year-old FRANKLIN C. ZEIGLER III (pictured via Facebook) as the male who had committed the crime.

 

Police said in a press release that during the investigation ZEIGLER “was irate and uncooperative with officers on an unrelated investigation” which then resulted in his arrest for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

 

Detective Vincent Deritis, North Wildwood Police Department’s humane law enforcement officer, conducted a follow-up investigation and the evidence he gathered included pictures and witness statements.

ZEIGLER admitted to killing the seagull. Reportedly, the poor bird tried to take ZEIGLER’s daughter’s french fries, so in a fit of rage, ZEIGLER attacked the seagull and ripped off his/her tiny head. ZEIGLER then asked Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks’ staff for a trash bag while holding the lifeless seagull.

 

ZEIGLER was additionally charged with 3rd degree animal cruelty. He was placed on a summons on the above charges as per bail reform and released pending a future court date.

 

I took the liberty of naming the Voiceless Victim Volare for the tribute image.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the North Wildwood Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 




 
 
 

MONIQUE TOLBERT convicted of animal cruelty for starving and abusing her dog

Writer: voiceforusvoiceforus
Jul 20, 20242 min read

- New Jersey, USA -

 

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced that on July 17, 2024, a jury found 35-year-old MONIQUE TOLBERT (pictured) guilty of third-degree animal cruelty.

 

On July 12, 2023, TOLBERT called the Atlantic City Police Department to surrender her dog named Handsome.

 

In the hallway of the apartment building where TOLBERT lived, responding officers found a dog without a collar. The poor soul was severely emaciated and dehydrated.

 

Officers learned that that dog was Handsome and that TOLBERT lived on the same floor where they found Handsome wandering around.

 

Police immediately took the furvictim to The Humane Society of Atlantic County to be examined and treated.

 

According to the press release by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, Handsome was “weighing less than half of the normal healthy weight of a dog similarly situated to him.”

 

Veterinarians said Handsome was very dehydrated and found his hair and skin suffering from urine scalding. Handsome was also found with several pressure point sores on his body.

 

About a month later, The Humane Society of Atlantic County posted a picture of Handsome showing how he looked after weeks of care. HSAC wrote: “…. he is back to normal weight and just loves life.”

 

I have emailed HSAC and requested information on Handsome’s current status. If I get a response, I will post an update.

 

TOLBERT’s sentencing has been scheduled for September 2024.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

 

 

TOLBERT’s mugshot shared from the press release by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.




 
 
 

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