A Monmouth County man pleaded guilty on Tuesday morning to animal cruelty, admitting to causing injury to a pit bull terrier dog, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Andre Parker, 34, of Asbury Park, pleaded guilty to the charges of fourth-degree animal cruelty and fourth-degree hindering apprehension of oneself.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, the state will recommend a sentence of 364 days in the county jail with a probationary term following his release from incarceration.

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA), charged Parker following a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, MCSPCA, Asbury Park and Neptune Township police departments.

The investigation revealed that in January and February of 2017, Parker caused bodily injury to his dog, a one- to two-year-old pit bull mix known as Destiny, by failing to provide the dog with necessary care.

An anonymous tip led MCSPCA investigators to question Parker about allegations of abuse. Parker secretly removed the dog from his Asbury Park residence and left her with his co-defendant, Tara Robinson, in Ocean Grove.

Parker then lied to investigators, telling them he did not have any knowledge of an injured dog. The dog was found two days later at Robinson’s home after another tip led Neptune Township police to investigate.

Destiny was found malnourished and had several untreated and infected wounds. After a hospital stay, Destiny made a full recovery and was adopted and placed into her “forever home” with a SPCA-approved family.

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