Woman charged after wrong dog may have been euthanized following attack, police say
Chief Ryan Peters called the possibility that an innocent dog was surrendered and euthanized in place of the animal believed responsible for the attack "heartbreaking" and said authorities are committed to preserving the integrity of the judicial process.
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A Summit woman has been charged with animal cruelty and perjury after investigators determined that a dog surrendered following a fatal 2025 dog attack may not have been the animal involved in the incident, authorities said Friday.
The investigation stems from a Nov. 5, 2025, attack that left a 70-year-old Summit resident injured and resulted in the death of her dog. Police said the woman was walking her small dog near 91 Springfield Ave. around 5:52 a.m. when two pit bulls broke free from their handler and attacked her and her pet. Her dog later died from its injuries.
Following an investigation that included surveillance footage and witness statements, two dogs were surrendered and impounded. In April, a judge determined the dogs met the criteria for euthanasia under New Jersey law, and both were euthanized.
Police said new information later surfaced suggesting one of the surrendered dogs was not involved in the attack. A supplemental investigation, which included a review of additional surveillance footage, photographs, videos and witness testimony, led detectives to conclude there was probable cause to believe a different dog had been surrendered and that a dog believed to have participated in the attack remained in the owner's possession.
Investigators also alleged false statements were made during court proceedings regarding the dogs' identities.
On June 4, Summit police charged Stethanie Jacobs, 48, of Summit, with animal cruelty and perjury. She was arrested and jailed pending court proceedings.
Police said the dog believed to have been involved in the November attack, identified as "Blue," has since been voluntarily surrendered and impounded pending further judicial review.
Chief Ryan Peters called the possibility that an innocent dog was surrendered and euthanized in place of the animal believed responsible for the attack "heartbreaking" and said authorities are committed to preserving the integrity of the judicial process.
