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Two Prospect Avenue residents face multiple charges of animal cruelty after two male pit bulls in their care were found with what appear to bite wounds and scars from fighting, according to Victor “Buddy” Amato, chief of police for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [MCSPCA].

Asbury Park Police officers who were conducting an investigation at the site for an unrelated incident saw wounds on the dogs, noted a lack of food or water, and alerted Amato. Amato immediately dispatched MCSPCA officers Deputy Chief Larry Donato and Detective Sgt. William Hyer and gave them the authority to seize the animals, he said.

Kourtney Blackmon, 32, was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty including failure to provide proper shelter, failure to provide care, and cause and procure of animal abuse.

Ahlonzo Miller, 33, was also charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty including overloading an animal, failure to provide care, and cause and procure of animal abuse.

The animals were taken to a nearby veterinary clinic where they await examination. Both Blackmon and Miller could face additional charges following the examination, he said.

As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, Amato had no new information about the animals and the investigation remained “status quo,” he said.

Each charge carries a $2,000 fine and up to six-months of jail time.

“We’re going to want possession of the animals,” he said.

It will be the MCSPCA’s goal to have the animals adopted, after the court case has concluded, he said.

“We don’t give placement until we know they can be given to a family,” he said. “It’s important to remember these dogs may be aggressive towards other dogs, but that doesn’t mean they are going to be nasty towards humans.”

Anyone who has information about the case is asked to contact Chief Amato at 732-312-7153.

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