A suspended Asbury Park Animal Control officer was charged with animal cruelty Wednesday.

Caren Cunningham is accused of picking up stray cats and dogs and having them euthanized without giving the public the legally mandated amount of time to adopt or claim the animals. Cunningham maintains her innocence, saying "I have never hurt an animal in my life."

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said the eight counts of animal cruelty are just the tip of the iceberg.

"Too many animals were being brought in and put down with no real illness," SPCA Chief Buddy Amato said. "It wasn't justified.

Amato said a concerned veterinarian brought Cunningham to the organization's attention.

Animal Control operates under the Asbury Park Police Department's jurisdiction, which characterized the investigation as ongoing.

Cunningham is suspended without pay and could lose her job.

One other Animal Control officer was charged with one count of animal cruelty.