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N.J. Man Faces Animal Cruelty Charges For Fatally Beating Dog With TV Remote

SECAUCUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Animal cruelty charges have been filed against a man who allegedly beat his sister's Yorkshire Terrier to death with a television remote.

The Jersey Journal reports that 40-year-old Eric Wesley of Glen Gardner appeared in court this week to hear the charges, which stem from an Aug. 12 incident in Secaucus.

Authorities say Wesley repeatedly struck the 5-pound dog, named Bella, in the head with the remote. The dog suffered skull fractures and was taken to a veterinary hospital, but doctors could not save the animal.

Wesley's sister reported the incident to police the next day, and Wesley turned himself in two days later.

A telephone number for Wesley could not be located Saturday. It was not clear if he has hired a lawyer.

In a separate case, a dog that was thrown from the window of a moving car on the Garden State Parkway Saturday has been released from the hospital.

The dog named Lema was stolen and then thrown from a car in the southbound express lanes between noon and 1 p.m. near exit 116 in Holmdel, officials said.

After landing on the parkway, the small female terrier mix was hit by another car.

A Good Samaritan who saw what happened stayed with the dog and also called state police. A trooper rushed the dog to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, where doctors were able to stop its internal bleeding and treat other injuries.

Lema left the hospital with her owners early Monday afternoon, who are not said to be suspects.

The driver and/or the person responsible could be charged with an indictable crime and face up to six months in jail.

Amato is still looking for information about the incident, specifically a description of the vehicle.

If you have any information, please contact him at 732-312-7153.

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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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