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Two women facing charges of animal cruelty from a July incident in which one dog died pled guilty today in Asbury Park Municipal Court, according to a Monmouth County SPCA official.

Asbury Park residents Juanita White and Davina L. Kearney faced multiple charges of animal cruelty stemming from the incident in which two pit bulls under their care were left outside without water and proper protection from the sun with temperatures over 95 degrees in the shade, said Victor “Buddy” Amato, chief of police for the Monmouth County SPCA.

One of the pit bulls died in the incident. The other pit bull, “Boogie” [above] survived and is up for adoption at the Monmouth County Humane Society.

Juanita White, the owner of the dogs, was given a $500 fine and is banned from animal ownership for life, Amato said.

Davina L. Kearney, who owns the residence where the dogs were left outside, received a $500 fine for “procuring the act” which led to the incident, Amato said. Kearney will be allowed to keep the shih tzu she currently owns, but is banned from any further animal ownership in the future, he said.

“Removing the animal from the residence would be harmful to the dog because she is taking care of it,” said Amato, in reference to the shih tzu.

The case was handled by Prosecutor James Butler and heard in front of Judge Michael Puglisi.

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Photo courtesy of  Humane Society volunteer Natalie Markova.

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