NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — Five people from Warren County have been indicted on animal cruelty and related charges in connection with the abandonment of more than 40 small dogs across Sussex County in March, an incident that left several dogs dead and others seriously injured, authorities announced.
Sussex County Prosecutor Daniel M. Perez said a county grand jury returned an eight-count indictment Thursday, Nov. 5, against five related individuals following a months-long investigation into the March 16, 2026, incident.
The defendants are Joshua Ciemniecki, 19, of Phillipsburg; Kaila McNeill, 30, of Stewartsville; Francis Ciemniecki, 72, of Phillipsburg; Cynthia Ciemniecki, 50, of Phillipsburg; and Robert Ciemniecki, 74, of Phillipsburg.
According to prosecutors, New Jersey State Police troopers responded to the first report at approximately 7:30 p.m. March 16 in Stillwater Township, where they found about eight small dogs running loose in a parking lot near an open black cage. An animal control officer responded but was unable to capture the dogs.
The dogs, believed to be Chihuahua-Jack Russell terrier mixes, were abandoned during rainy, windy and cold weather. Earlier that day, the National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch for Sussex County, warning of possible tornadoes, quarter-sized hail and wind gusts of up to 80 mph.
At approximately 8:42 p.m., troopers responded to a similar report in Lafayette Township, where residents had captured several dogs while others were seen running into the woods. A resident later brought five additional dogs to the State Police Sussex Station.
Around the same time, troopers responded to Wantage Township, where at least seven small dogs were found. Four were captured, and police discovered two black cages approximately 10 yards into the woods with their doors open.
Over the following seven days, members of the New Jersey State Police, Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office searched for additional dogs on foot and with drones. Animal control officers from Newton, Wantage and Vernon assisted, along with residents and community volunteers.
Authorities said approximately 34 dogs were recovered alive, while two were found dead, including one that had been mauled by predators. Another dog went into labor after being rescued and died during surgery. Two newborn puppies survived, while two others died. At least five dogs remained unaccounted for.
Many surviving dogs suffered serious injuries, including broken teeth, facial injuries and injured legs, which investigators said were consistent with trauma from being thrown while inside cages.
During the search, a Sussex County Sheriff’s Office drone located a dog trapped in a swamp deep in the woods of Stillwater Township. The dog showed signs of hypothermia.
Local veterinarians donated their services to treat the surviving animals, while Father John’s Animal House provided temporary shelter.
Investigation leads to indictments
Following the incident, detectives from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes and Grand Jury units conducted a months-long investigation, including digital forensic examinations of cellphones seized under search warrants.
Prosecutors said the examinations revealed evidence concerning the defendants’ locations during the alleged abandonments and communications among them.
According to the indictment, Joshua Ciemniecki and Robert Ciemniecki allegedly loaded dogs into a Dodge Durango to transport them to locations where they would be abandoned without food, water, security or adequate shelter.
Investigators allege Joshua Ciemniecki drove the vehicle to locations in Stillwater, Wantage and Lafayette townships and abandoned dogs during the severe weather conditions.
McNeill allegedly drove a rented U-Haul van to locations throughout Sussex County, where she also abandoned dogs. Prosecutors allege Francis Ciemniecki paid for the rental van and provided McNeill with gas money to facilitate the transportation of the animals.
The indictment further alleges Cynthia Ciemniecki supplied tape and other materials to cover the windows of the rental van and directed McNeill and Joshua Ciemniecki to travel to locations in Warren County, Sussex County and Pennsylvania to abandon dogs.
Prosecutors also allege Cynthia Ciemniecki and McNeill, who are mother and daughter, conspired to tamper with evidence after becoming aware of a possible criminal investigation.
According to the indictment, McNeill sent Cynthia Ciemniecki a video showing a rural road and parking area, with dogs heard barking inside the rented U-Haul van. Investigators said Cynthia Ciemniecki instructed McNeill to delete the video, which McNeill allegedly did.
Authorities said it remains unknown whether dogs were abandoned at the location shown in the video.
Charges against defendants
Joshua Ciemniecki and McNeill were each indicted on third- and fourth-degree charges of conspiracy to commit animal cruelty and animal cruelty. McNeill also faces fourth-degree charges of conspiracy to tamper with evidence and tampering with evidence.
Francis Ciemniecki and Robert Ciemniecki were each indicted on third- and fourth-degree charges of conspiracy to commit animal cruelty.
Cynthia Ciemniecki faces third- and fourth-degree charges of conspiracy to commit animal cruelty, along with a fourth-degree charge of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.
The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Janine M. Allen at the Sussex County Judicial Center in Newton.
“The indictment of these defendants reflects our commitment to enforcing the law, protecting vulnerable animals, and holding individuals accountable for acts of animal cruelty,” Prosecutor Perez stated. “Pet owners who are unable or unwilling to care for their animals have responsible options, including arranging for their adoption or surrendering them to a local animal shelter. What they cannot do is abandon animals in the woods, leaving them without food, water, or shelter. Such conduct will not be tolerated,” he continued.
Perez thanked the New Jersey State Police, Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, prosecutor’s office investigators, animal control officers, veterinarians and community volunteers who assisted in locating and caring for the dogs.
