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Two Asbury Park women face animal cruelty charges in connection with the mistreatment of two pit bulls, resulting in the death of one, after both were allegedly left outside in the heat today without water and proper shelter.

Davina L. Kearney, 30, 613 Ridge Ave., and Juanita White, 48, who lives at the Oceanic Motel on Sixth Avenue, face “at least” three counts of animal cruelty, according to Vincent “Buddy” Amato, Chief of Police for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [SPCA].

The charges each carry penalties of up to $1,000 and up to six months incarceration, Amato said.

Both dogs, pit bulls named Monster and Boogie, were allegedly left outside without water and proper protection from the sun while temperatures rose to 95 degrees in the shade, he said.

White owned the dogs, and Kearney was the owner of the property where the incident occurred, said Amato.

“There was no dog house for them to get out of the sun. They had makeshift umbrellas set up that were protecting nothing,” he said.

In an attempt to escape the heat, both dogs dug holes a foot and a half deep, Amato said. One dog, Monster, tried to escape by jumping over a fence into another yard, but died after getting caught on the fence and hanging himself, said Amato.

After animal control officers arrived on the scene, Boogie appeared to be in good enough condition to be released to the son of the owner, he said.

Assisting on the scene were Asbury Park police officer Mark Walsh and animal control officer Kevin Rooney of the Associated Humane Society.

The charges will be heard in Asbury Park Municipal Court.

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