New Jersey: Jennifer Caruso, 36, accused of leaving her dog to die

NEW JERSEY -- A Norwood woman has been accused of abandoning a dog that was later found dead inside her former home, authorities said on Monday.

Jennifer Cook Caruso, 36, left the animal named "Sully" without food or water "for an extended period of time leading to his death" inside 442 Crest Drive in Northvale, said Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal.

Sully, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, was found emaciated and dead inside the house on Feb. 18.

Caruso was living in Norwood at the time of the dog's death, authorities said.

The Bergen County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged Caruso with abandoning a domestic animal and failure to provide an animal with food, shelter, water and veterinary care, the prosecutor said in a statement.

She was issued summonses to appear in municipal court.

Police at the time said the dog may have eaten sofa cushions in the absence of food.

Firefighters and police found the animal's lifeless body after a neighbor reported that water was coming out from under the garage door and that a security alarm was sounding.

Caruso had owned the home with Dustin Cook, 36, who was arrested in January after police said they seized knives, swords, guns, brass knuckles and high-capacity magazines from the home.

Dustin Cook was not charged in connection with the dog's death.

(NJ.com - March 21, 2016)