The owner of a Gloucester County dog grooming business who was arrested on drug charges after a customer’s pet died has now been charged with animal cruelty for causing the dog’s death, according to court documents.
Trevor J. Hunt, owner of K-9 Kingdom in Woodbury Heights, was arrested July 12 after he called a family and said their 3-year-old border collie Australian shepherd mix, named Harley, had died during her grooming appointment.
The family contacted police, who responded to the business to investigate.
Hunt allegedly became uncooperative with officers and tried to delete evidence from his phone, police said. He was arrested and a search of the business turned up more than a half ounce of heroin packaged in more than 60 small plastic bags, according to court documents.
The cause of the dog’s death remains under investigation, police said.
Hunt was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and second-degree possession with intent to distribute, along with fourth-degree counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence. He is also charged with resisting arrest, a disorderly persons offense.
Though no cause of death for the dog was released, police also charged Hunt on Friday with third-degree cruelty to animals for allegedly failing to care for the dog.
Hunt “recklessly caused death to a living creature by failing to provide the living animal with necessary care as a person otherwise charged with the care of the living animal, leading to the animal’s death,” police said in an affidavit filed with the new charge.
During a court appearance Monday, Hunt, who remains jailed, said he will seek admission to a diversionary court program for non-violent drug offenders.
His attorney, Howard Gilfert, said he would not challenge a prosecution motion for his client to remain jailed pending trial because of Hunt’s drug dependency issue.
“In consultation with Mr. Hunt and his family, we concluded it’s best for him to remain in custody at this point while he detoxes and we are working to try to get him into Recovery Court directly from custody so that he will be clean at that point,” Gilfert told Superior Court Judge John Eastlack Jr.
Recovery Court, formerly called Drug Court, is an alternative judicial pathway for those struggling with addiction to get treatment and other services while remaining under intensive probation supervision.
When Hunt confirmed to Eastlack that he was applying to Recovery Court, the judge explained that he had previously presided over that court in Gloucester County.
“It is a program that is designed for your success,” Eastlack said. “No one wants you to fail. They support you in every way that they possibly can.”
In order to be admitted to the program, Recovery Court team members conduct a legal review and clinical assessment to determine if someone is qualified, according to program literature.
For those admitted to the program, treatment can last from one to two years, with participants required to attend treatment sessions, undergo random urine screenings, meet regularly with probation officers and appear frequently before a recovery court judge.
Those who successfully complete the program can apply to have their criminal records expunged.
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
