Teenagers charged following allegedly breaking into NJ petting zoo

Seven teens have been charged with trespassing and other offenses right after allegedly breaking into a New Jersey petting zoo in late August, mistreating animals, letting them out of the pens and putting lipstick on a miniature pony, according to experiences.

3 17-year-aged boys, 3 17-12 months-previous girls and one 18-yr-old male were charged with prison mischief, trespassing and “overloading animals,” an animal cruelty offense.

The 17-12 months-olds will be tried in household court docket and the 18-calendar year-outdated will facial area his costs in municipal court docket, Lt. Joseph Soto, of the Wyckoff Police Department, explained.

Gov. Phil Murphy despatched a tweet condemning the criminal offense: “Animal abuse has no house in New Jersey. Abma’s Farm is a pillar of the Bergen County group, and we will absolutely support them and nearby law enforcement to hold the perpetrators accountable.”

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Abma’s Farms, which is 30 miles east of New York City in Wyckoff, is dwelling to rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, and at the very least a single miniature pony. The farm proprietors wrote about the break-in and vandalism on Fb.

The young ones “opened gates and rode our miniature donkeys, who should not be supporting that a great deal excess weight. A single particular person took a Snapchat of a further man or woman driving our mini donkey and applied the Abma’s Farm geofilter.”

“We caught two other trespassers striving to steal,” the put up continued. “When we identified as the police, the two fled the scene.”

Abma's Farms, home to rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, and at least one miniature pony, in Wyckoff, 30 miles east of New York City, wrote about the incident on Facebook. (Google)

Abma’s Farms, property to rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, and at the very least one miniature pony, in Wyckoff, 30 miles east of New York Metropolis, wrote about the incident on Facebook. (Google)

Two animals experienced long gone missing just after the incident.

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The teenage prank left the loved ones distraught.

“First and foremost, we are a functioning farm, and four households (and four generations) reside right here,” the Abma spouse and children wrote on Facebook. “This is our house.”

Aside from the private violation that the family felt there is a safety challenge due to the fact breaking into animal pens could be risky.

“Animals can kick, rear up, and trample you. In the dim, everything can happen,” Jimmy Abma said.

Abma's Farms, home to rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, and at least one miniature pony, in Wyckoff, 30 miles east of New York City, wrote about the incident on Facebook. (Google)

Abma’s Farms, property to rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, and at minimum a single miniature pony, in Wyckoff, 30 miles east of New York Metropolis, wrote about the incident on Fb. (Google)

But the protection of the animals was also put in jeopardy, which has also upset the spouse and children.

“Our animals are now shaken and skiddish (sic) compared to their typical relaxed character,” Abma claimed. “This is quite troubling to us.”