NJ Man Indicted for Animal Cruelty and Other Charges

Jahlil McNeal, a 23-year-old Atlantic City resident, has been indicted on multiple charges, including animal cruelty, witness tampering, and theft of services, after allegedly abandoning four dogs by throwing them over the fence of the Humane Society of Atlantic County. The incidents, captured on surveillance cameras, occurred on April 8 and July 15, 2024, during the night when the shelter was closed. In the first incident, McNeal allegedly tossed three pit bull mixes, and in the second, he threw a dog named Brenda, who suffered severe scarring from chemical or temperature burns. Identified through public assistance and video evidence, McNeal was arrested following a traffic stop in August. The charges include failure to provide veterinary care for Brenda's injuries, which resulted in permanent scarring. Authorities have urged anyone with further information on animal cruelty cases to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.