Shore woman banned from animal ownership charged with neglecting dogs

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office image.

Ocean County Prosecutor's Office image.

A Shore woman banned from owning animals has been charged with neglecting eight dogs, authorities said.

Laura J. Giacini, 53, of Tuckerton, is facing eight counts of cruelty to animals/failure to provide proper care and one count of contempt of a court order, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Monday.

Police say an investigation launched last week when a concerned citizen alerted police to possible animal abuse, leading authorities to a trailer at 313 South Green Street in Tuckerton, Coronato said.

That’s where police found eight dogs living in neglectful conditions. Al Della Fave, a prosecutor’s office spokesman, tells the Asbury Park Press that the dogs were suffering from malnutrition and within one small room containing animal waste.

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The dogs were rescued and sheltered at the Ocean County Animal Facility in Manahawkin.

Giacini was previously barred from animal ownership for seven years by an order from the Lakewood Municipal Court, according to prosecutors.

She was served with a complaint-summons and will answer the charges at a later date, authorities said.

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