shame on you! since when is intentionally starving a defenseless animal a "petty crime".?

Petty crime? Leaving a dog to suffer and die is now a "petty crime?" And you're saying she should NOT be indicted? What she did was a crime. Period. And who are you to define what a "real criminal" is? Shame on you sir.

Ok...um...right. So, it's not murder. It's animal abuse. Murder is the taking of another person's life. This is such an unfortunate case. The Patch clearly has an agenda here as this is the 3rd or 4th time they've posted a link to the petition site and facebook page in an update article. So much for professional journalism. They even did a story about the facebook campaign - it only got 3600 sigs! How is that news!?!? And they mention the likes, padding the "article" with useless stats. This young lady clearly deserves some type of punishment (counseling?) but leaving her in a cage and throwing away the key??? Some of the people on these boards are extremely troubled. And save the - "she's the one who's troubled!" retorts. Obviously there are issues there. Some of you folks sure might love animals, but to say the things you do, you seem to have a strong dislike for humans. Get over this and let her live the rest of her life in peace.

So all other species are automatically inferior to the human race and should be regarded as so? Doesn't matter what it was, she still left it to die. You wanna be put in a cage?

I don't think that's what donald is saying. I think what he's getting at is that people are acting like she murdered a human being. There is most certainly a difference between what she did and committing murder. Dogs are pets, and come to be regarded as members of people's families, sure. But they are absolutely inferior to human beings. If you don't think that's the case, how can you "keep" a dog as your pet?

And I'm not implying their lives are worth any more or less than a human's before you take that route.

really? shame on you! Your comment sounds just like the cop who was present when our dog was shot and killed! "Its just a dog" So many heartless people in the world today!

Probably because, if you can believe this... There's more to the story!!! I know, I know, from what you've read on The Patch and in the comments, she's should be serving consecutive life sentences for serial murder, but it seems like common sense is prevailing where it matters most - in the courts.

why are my posts not getting posted here? Ive got to say this much and Tom as I am a HUGE dog and animal lover and as much as I cant stand to see or hear about any kind of animal abuse and in fact IT SICKENS ME to no end! I would like to apologize as well as thank you because your comment about believing whats on the internet did remind me and open my eyes to the fact , YOU ARE RIGHT! We dont know the REAL STORY, THE TRUTH! I say this because I experienced this first hand 9/27/2011 when lake elsinore police kicked open our front door (illegally) letting our dogs out shooting right in front of my eyes my dog, and high fiving each other when he did finally die! What Im gettiing at here is, the things that were said in the papers, the internet were such B.S. and so far from the truth and of course people believe what they read (and I refuse to be like this!) It hurts innocent people) not saying shes innnocent just saying by experience I, like everyone else doesnt know THE TRUTH to this girls story and lets face it the media lies , and people would rather read negative( drama) over a happy boring story. Sorry people but unfortunatley that is the truth.. Now if this girl IS actually innocent I feel sorry for her because has she has no chance in hell, but if she isnt and DID intentionally leave this baby to die!! I HOPE SHE ROTS IN PRISON (HELL). as thats all she would deserve!

@Tiffany You're open-mindedness is appreciated. In all reality, I do think she is guilty, but I think knowing the circumstances of her situation will open people's eye...unless they've already made up their minds which some seem to have already. She most certainly deserves punishment, but let's see how this case pans out in court.

Why? What makes humans (creatures who have the power to reason, but chose not to and commit unspeakable acts against others) more important than sweet loving creatures?

and Donald to some of us our pets ARE our kids , so human dogs to me and to others it is the same! You must of never really loved or owned a dog . DOG= GOD

Hahahaha she doesn't feel bad..She made a conscious decision to murder an animal..Are you Casey Anthony's biggest fan too?

You have no idea of the circumstances of why she made the decision she did. Anything and everything you say is complete speculation. Just because you've read something on the internet doesn't make it true, and clearly the courts are coming to the realization that there may be reasons behind her actions. Stop persecuting and judging this young woman and take steps to change the laws if you feel so strongly. Otherwise, get a grip and stop suggesting these hideous torture solutions and your horrible remarks about someone you don't know.

So, if you see it that way, can you conceive of the fact that she might see it the other? Probably not, but I think you've got more to deal with than that.

It's not a documented fact at all. It's been said on these boards and it's on the internet but that doesn't make it true. It's suggested that there may be a link between serial killers and animal and child abuse. Just because she did what she did does not make her a serial killer. You're wrong.

That doesn't make any sense Melissa. so what you're saying is you would save a dog in danger over a child in danger??? Does that seem right to you reading it like that? I understand you love animals, but you're reaching to prove a point, and I'm not sure it's clear what that point is exactly.

It is not murder. She did not intentionally end this dog's life. You have no idea what was going on in her life when this occurred so stop making these snap judgements. You'd have a hard time pinning a murder conviction on a person if they did this to another human being. Armchair attorneys unite!

Now this is a tangent. Way to go Maggie! Get that anti-Christian rhetoric in as much as you can. Where you came up with this is anyone's guess, but well-done. I love how you equate sentient beings with thinking in sentences and driving a car. I think you may have a future in stand-up comedy.

Have you ever taken the life of a mosquito, or heaven forbid, a green head fly? Are they not God's creatures? Would you have the same Christian sentiment towards those that have?

First Jenee, my parents taught me perfectly well. I'm not sure what you read that makes your think I don't know living things need food and water to survive - that's not at all what I'm implying. My point of view is that nobody knows what the circumstances were in this case - NOBODY but her. You have no idea if she intentionally left the dog there. Maybe she made a choice between the dog and her child, maybe the dog (as has been reported) was vicious and she couldn't care for it. Sure, she could've called someone, but she didn't and she will be punished for that. But to act like you silently were watching her every move and know the whole story is ignorant and arrogant. Second, you have some serious moral issues going on if you would actually save an animal over a person. You're a very jaded, pessimistic person if the first thing you think about when a person or child is in danger is that you'll be sued. It must be a shame to live like that. Also, I would honestly like you to tell me which country would "blow you up" for saving children...seriously. You should really seek treatment, I feel bad for you - that's called empathy - it's a human emotion.

In addition, how would your dogs eat if you starved - since you'd feed them before you fed yourself??? Listen, I realize you're an animal lover, but does that automatically make you a human hater? I didn't attack anyone on this post, either their character or their opinion. I only offered mine and presented an alternative point-of-view. You're angry, aggressive response says something about you and how you perceive others. There's no need for animosity. Try being rational and engaging in a civil discussion for once.

Nope, wrong again. That's not my point of view at all. In fact, I believe she should be appropriately punished, as I've stated numerous times. I don't think she's innocent at all. I think, simply, that there are circumstances that you or anyone else does not know about that led her to do what she did. I'm not at all OK with what she did, another poster is urging people to stop persecuting her, not me. Although I do agree that this has gotten more attention than it deserves. If you think you can ascertain how I would respond to "evil" from a few comments on a Patch board, you're mistaken. I've been saying that I don't understand your point-of-view about helping animals over humans. What does your fictional "situation" where someone comes to my aid have to do with anything? Are you talking about the dog? This young lady is being held, and will be charged...what more would you like to see happen to her? If you want to spin my comments to fuel your anger, feel free. I'm sure that others can see my point regardless. However, I'm really surprised by your aggression and animosity. It's extremely unwarranted and, I must say, quite startling. You can be as angry as you want at this woman, but I didn't do anything to any animals or humans, so there's really no need at all to not have a normal discussion, sans rage.

@diane I don't think anyone is making excuses for the young lady. What I'm saying is that we should realize that there may be circumstances that led her to this end. You're right in that she deserves to some type of punishment, but she's not a murderer. Labeling her as such is not responsible. Looking at this from the outside it's very easy to say there is no excuse, but let's see how it plays out and how it ends up. And there's no need for you to label folks who are simply stating their opinions as clueless and ignorant when they're only giving their opinions. That's uncalled for. Try to be civil.

Here's the answer to your question:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/murder

But yes, work to change the laws, that's the best option in cases like this.

I don't know diane, which is what I'm implying. Like I've said over and over again...there MAY BE circumstances in her life that led her to do what she did. That's all I'm saying. I've never said that she's innocent or implied that I knew something that others don't. Just that nobody is aware of what was going on in her life at that point in time. She's not a murderer.

It really is a shame that you have to resort to such aggressive, sarcastic comments just because I'm offering a different point of view. I don't think I've implied that what I'm saying is worth more than what others present either. If I have, that wasn't my intention at all. I just feel that this young lady has been raked over the coals and her life will be forever altered. Yes, because of her own actions, but still, I personally believe in people and second chances. That doesn't mean others have to. It's just sad that she won't be able to live a normal life in her hometown. I'm not sure if she has any children, but hopefully people don't take this out on them. Anyway, my apologies if any of my comments came off the wrong way.

Thank goodness for bleeding heart drivel. Without charity, compassion and civility this world would be a sad place. Innocent mistakes would doom people to a lifetime of persecution. Rehabilitation would not exist. Hopefully you'll never be the subject of such blind criticism in your life diane. Faith and hope in and for humanity are powerful emotions.

First, nobody is defending her, read the comments. What's being said is that nobody, including you, know the circumstances of the situation. Calling her a murderer is out of line. She'll serve up to 6 months and pay a fine. Some radical folks here think she should be given the gas chamber apparently. Second, With what you're alleging, she would be charged with aggravated cruelty. She was indicted on a count of third-degree animal cruelty by an Ocean County grand jury. If there were past offenses, they would've been considered. Her charge is a Disorderly Persons Offense, not a Felony. And before you make the point of leniency, based on your own statements, why would the court show leniency? Why would the court not seek a more serious charge if she'd done this before, or if her character was in question...??? Offering hearsay is irresponsible.