NJ animal welfare officer just let sick dog die, NJSPCA says

A woman described as an animal welfare officer has been accused of animal cruelty herself.

The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals filed charges against Linda Wilferth, 57, Phillipsburg, last month. Wilferth is the onwer and operator of Catnip Friends Rescue.

In response to a complaint from a consumer to the NJSPCA’s hotline, the organization found Wilferth sold a dog for $500 to a consumer, it said. A few days later the dog became very ill and the consumer returned the dog to Wilferth, according to the NJSPCA.

Wilferth knowingly took the sick dog back into her possession and failed to provide any veterinary care, it said. The dog died the following day.

Animal cruelty charges were filed by the NJSPCA in Flemington Boro Municipal Court and are scheduled to be heard on Jan. 28, 2016.