A Howell woman was found and arrested on animal cruelty charges on Sept. 4, after being a fugitive for nearly three months, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The woman, Tricia Jaccoma, 24, along with Daniel McDonald, 25, were charged back in June with four counts of third-degree animal cruelty with respect to the deaths of four German shepherd puppies that were found dead on a property in Howell where they were temporarily residing.

In addition to the animal cruelty charges for failing to provide the puppies with the necessary care, both McDonald and Jaccoma were charged with multiple counts of third-degree receiving stolen property, for being in possession of the stolen puppies from a farm in Somerset County.

The remains of two dead German shepherd puppies were found in a fire pit on the property in Howell on Monday, May 18, 2020. The Howell Township Police Department and Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Law Enforcement Division, conducted an investigation, which led to the discovery of the remains of two more deceased puppies that had been buried on the property.

Jaccoma had her initial appearance in (virtual) court on Sunday.

McDonald’s charges remain pending and he has been detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution since June 10.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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