Monmouth Couple Vacated Home When Pipes Froze, Abandoned Dog: Police

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Animal cruelty charges have been brought upon a Neptune Township man and woman who authorities say left their senior Rottweiler outside, and in freezing temperatures, over the Christmas holiday.

Coco, a 10-year-old dog was left tethered by a short chain, with no food or water, and on a concrete pad with no protection from the elements, according to the Monmouth County Humane Society.

The dog's owners, Iquan Carson and Shonquel Lindsey of Neptune, had vacated their home when their pipes froze.

Humane officials say they left Coco for the three days and nights they were gone, each night with temperatures below freezing.

Neptune Police were alerted and the Monmouth County SPCA Animal Control unit was dispatched to the scene. Coco was recovered and brought to the Eatontown shelter to be medically evaluated.

Coco was warmed up, given food, water and a comfortable place to rest.

Coco remains under the care of the Monmouth County SPCA and will continue to be monitored and treated as necessary. She is described as a gentle, loyal and loving dog by her caretakers.

“We can’t fathom what this sweet dog had been feeling when she was freezing on a concrete pad for days; it must have felt like a lifetime," said Monmouth SPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra. "This type of cruelty will not be tolerated and we will continue to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law."

Coco’s former owners will be charged with two counts of animal cruelty; cruel restrain and failure to provide necessary care.

Coco is not yet available for adoption, but the shelter encourages interested families to keep an eye on social media postings and the website.