Hunterdon Shelter Director Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

The head of a northwestern New Jersey animal shelter is facing 18 counts of animal cruelty.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III and state SPCA officials say 84-year-old Theresa Carlson of Milford failed to provide proper sustenance to nine cats at the Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter. She faces up to six months in prison if convicted.

Carlson was arrested Tuesday, but it was not made public until Wednesday. She was released on her own recognizance.

A telephone number for Carlson could not be located, and it wasn't known if she had retained an attorney. The SPCA has filed legal documents to have her removed as the shelter's director and president.

The charges stem from a joint investigation by the prosecutor's office, the SPCA, the state departments of Health and Agriculture.

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