The manager of an Old Bridge animal shelter has been charged with animal cruelty.
OLD BRIDGE -- The coordinator of the township's animal shelter has been charged with animal cruelty.
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) has charged Karen Chen on Wednesday with failure to provide necessary veterinary care and inflicting unnecessary cruelty after she allegedly neglected a cat's dental condition, which led to it having nine abscessed teeth, according to a statement from the NJSPCA.
A tooth abscess is a bacterial infection that can be life-threatening, according to Vetary.com.
The cat, named Jupiter, was admitted to the shelter as a stray in late September, the statement said.
The NJSPCA says it determined Jupiter was in pain "as far back as November" but "was provided no medical care" for nearly two months.
The NJSPCA followed up in late December and found Jupiter received the necessary dental work and was eating fine. The cat was eventually adopted out of the shelter, according to officials in the statement.
The Old Bridge Animal Shelter could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
According to the NJSPCA, Chen has been issued summonses along with a notice to appear in court on March 8. Because Chen is a township employee, the NJSPCA has requested a venue outside of Old Bridge.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.