R&B Singer Jaheim H. Hoagland has been charged with animal cruelty after police say they found 15 dogs in varying stages of emaciation, without access to food and water.
Hillsborough Township Police on Monday, September 6, at about 9:16 a.m., went to the area of River Road and Chamberlain Drive for a report of a puppy in distress, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.
When police arrived they found six dogs in separate animal crates in the driveway of a Chamberlain Drive home. One of the dogs was initially unresponsive in a water-filled crate and had to be euthanized, said Robertson.
More dogs were found inside of separate crates which were partially filled with several inches of water and dog feces, said Robertson.
The homeowner, identified as Jaheim H. Hoagland, 44, of Chamberlain Drive, Hillsborough, was outside of the home and arrested for an unrelated Somerset County Violation of Probation Warrant, along with two active Municipal Court Warrants from Hillsborough Township and Newark.
While caring for the dogs, officers heard barking coming from inside the home and found nine more dogs inside in varying stages of emaciation, without access to food and water, said Robertson.
Two of the dogs were transported to AnimERge veterinarian for emergency treatment due to their poor condition, said Robertson.
In total there were 12 mixed breed Pitbull Terriers, two American Staffordshire Terriers, and one mixed breed Boxer found at Hoagland’s home. One mixed breed Pitbull terrier was euthanized and the other 14 dogs were examined and released to Long Hill Kennel in Hillsborough.
The singer was charged with third-degree animal cruelty and failure to provide necessary care to an animal, a disorderly persons offense.
Hoagland was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.
