Alexander Centeno, of East Commerce Street, appeared in Bridgeton Municipal Court on Thursday and told the judge he would release the Great Dane if the charges were dropped.
“You know what I said to that!” responded Cumberland County SPCA Executive Director Bev Greco.
“No way.”
A trial date of Dec. 13, at 2 p.m., has been set.
Acting on a tip from the Bridgeton animal control officer, on Nov. 20, Cumberland County SPCA cruelty agents seized the emaciated Great Dane from a property at 568 E. Commerce St.
Centeno, was charged with failure to maintain proper sustenance, which included failure to provide proper veterinary care.
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| Photo taken March 2012 shows Alex Centeno at an awards banquet for Cumberland County Firefighters and EMTs. |
“We were called out about this same dog eight months ago,” said SPCA cruelty agent Diane Luellan-Lilla at the time. “The owner was cited for violations, but complied and the case was closed."
The dog is recovering.
Since Nov. 20, Centeno is being charged $10 a day room and board for the dog plus a veterinarian’s examination and medication expenses.
Those charges added up to $190 when Luellan-Lilla first contacted Centeno by phone the day after the seizure.
She told Centeno the monetary charges would cease as soon as he came to the shelter and signed papers to release the dog.
He declined and announced he was retaining a lawyer.
Centeno was not home the day of the seizure and no one answered the door, but other dogs were inside.
They are believed to be owned by Centeno’s wife.
At least $90 in additional charges have accrued.
(nj.com - Nov 30, 2012)
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