Rocky is a sweet, two year old Rottweiler/Shepherd mix who had been living a life of neglect and starvation in a run behind a Vauxhall, NJ resident’s house. The young dog suffered quietly in the backyard of Veronica Fisher until the New Jersey SPCA was called to the residence on Tower Street on March 20, 2007.

Investigator Matthew Giuliano went to the home and immediately confiscated the extremely emaciated dog, who was languishing for an unknown amount of time in his own feces. SPCA Investigator Giuliano signed four complaints against Veronica Fisher -- two counts of animal cruelty and two counts of failure to provide proper food, water, shelter and necessary sustenance.

Rocky, grateful for any little bit of positive attention, was brought to our Newark shelter for an immediate veterinary exam and care, and the beginning of his recovery.

His owner had failed to appear at a scheduled hearing sometime after the SPCA filed the charges and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest. The matter was heard on June 21 in Union Municipal Court. Veronica Fisher has been convicted of neglecting and starving her two-year-old Rottweiler/Shephed mix. She pled guilty and was handed a $1,000 fine by Union Municipal Judge Johnathan Rosenbluth. She was also ordered to pay $550.00 to the Associated Humane Societies and $75.00 to the New Jersey SPCA.

"Such a sweet and loving dog deserves so much more than he has experienced in his two short years," said Roseann Trezza, Executive Director of Associated Humane Societies/Popcorn Park Zoo. "Justice has been served and it is now time to find a caring family for Rocky." Rocky is feeling 100% better as you can see from his `after’ photo, and longs for nothing more than a truly loving home.

For more information on Rocky and/or to adopt him, contact us and refer to File 59083.

For more information on the NJ SPCA, please visit their web site.