New Jersey Shelter Executive Charged With Animal Cruelty

The executive director of New Jersey’s Associated Humane Societies, Roseann Trezza, has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty by the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA). The charges come after the Newark shelter—1 of 3 operated in the state by Associated Humane Societies—failed 3 recent inspections by state and local health officials and subsequently lost its license.

Charges brought against Trezza follow a multiple-month, multiple-visit inspection and joint efforts by the State Department of Health, Newark Department of Health and NJSPCA Humane Police and include 8 criminal counts of animal cruelty and 8 civil counts of animal cruelty. Failure to care for some animals in the shelter by providing filthy water bowls and mixing sick animals with healthy ones reflect just some of the long list of the violations the shelter received for operating in deplorable conditions.

Trezza, age 70, has served on the Associated Humane Societies Board of Trustees since the 1970s. A December 7 court date has been scheduled.

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