Holmdel Police Rescue Dog; Man Charged with Animal Cruelty by SPCA

A Belford man allegedly threw a Holmdel woman’s puppy over a bridge on the Henry Hudson trail on Sunday morning, and then drove to her home in the Orchards Townhouse Development off Laurel Ave. and got involved in a minor fight with the woman’s friend, according to police.

William Deppisch, 23, of 323 Campbell Ave in Belford was arrested and charged by Holmdel Police on April 10 with disorderly conduct and harassment. Deppisch was also issued three summonses for animal cruelty by the Chief of Police for the Monmouth County SPCA, Victor “Buddy” Amato.

Deppisch was transported to the county jail with bail set at $2,500, which was posted later that day permitting his release, according to Sgt. Vincent Imperato

The other man in the fight, Russell Dunn, 23 of 91 Highland Ave. in Leonardo, was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.

Police were alerted to the pushing-and-shoving fight at Bristel Road and Alpine Drive by a resident’s phone call around 11:30 a.m., said Imperato. When officers arrived, they learned about 4 ½ month old dog, Jack.

Sgt. Michael Pigott located the dog under a trestle bridge located between Wilson Ave. and Church St in Belford, according to the police report. Patrolman Charles Groder was also helpful in saving the dog, which had survived despite being neck-high in water in a swampy marsh area, said Amato. A Middletown Animal Control Officer transported the dog, a Labrador mix, to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.

Despite minor injuries and a frightful experience in the water, “The dog is going to be fine,” said Amato. 

According to Amato's investigation, Deppisch had been watching the puppy for his ex-girlfriend. “They had a fight…. And he used the dog as a pawn,” he said. The dog is back with its owner. 

“He was remorseful. I’ll leave it at that,” said Amato.

Deppisch will face a Middletown municipal judge on the animal cruelty charges on May 23, said Amato. The charges are inflicting unnecessary cruelty on a living creature, abandoning a disabled animal to die, and abusing a living creature, said Amato. If convicted under the NJ Anti-Cruelty Law, Deppisch could face up to a six month jail sentence, or up to a $1,000 fine, on each of the charges. 

About 100 cases of animal cruelty a month are investigated by Eatontown-based SPCA Police force, staffed by Chief Amato and eight agents/officers around the clock, said Amato. The force is funded by donations, he said. Amato is a former mounted police officer and runs a karate academy in the West Keansburg section of Hazlet.