Lebanon Borough, N.J. — A black pit bull-type dog left alone along Main Street in Lebanon Borough has now found a new home, but the search for the person accused of abandoning the animal continues as PETA announces a $5,000 reward for information tied to the case.
The animal rights organization said it is offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction on animal cruelty charges of the person responsible for leaving the dog behind on March 24. Security footage captured a woman removing the dog from a black Nissan Altima before driving away without it, according to details released this week.
Surveillance Video Captured Vehicle and Woman
Footage reviewed in the investigation shows a woman wearing a red long-sleeved shirt and black pants arriving in a black four-door Nissan Altima believed to be a 2007–2012 model. The vehicle appeared to display New Jersey license plates on both the front and rear.
According to PETA, the woman walked the medium-sized black pit bull or pit bull mix on a leash around the rear of the car and briefly disappeared from camera view. Moments later, she returned alone, entered the vehicle, and drove away, leaving the dog behind on Main Street.
Animal control officers later recovered the dog and transferred it to a shelter, where the animal was eventually adopted.
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Key Points
• PETA announced a reward of up to $5,000 tied to the Lebanon Borough dog abandonment case
• Surveillance footage captured a woman leaving a pit bull-type dog near Main Street on March 24
• The dog was rescued by animal control, taken to a shelter, and later adopted
Animal Cruelty Investigation Remains Active
PETA said the reward is intended to generate new leads as investigators work to identify the woman and the vehicle seen in the video.
Abandoning an animal can carry criminal penalties in New Jersey under state animal cruelty laws, particularly if investigators determine the act placed the dog in danger. Lebanon Borough officials have not publicly identified a suspect or announced any charges connected to the case.
The organization emphasized that roadside abandonment can expose animals to serious risks, including traffic injuries, starvation, dehydration, and extreme weather conditions.
While the dog survived and has since been adopted, advocates say many abandoned animals are not as fortunate.
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“Leaving an animal alone on the side of the road is dangerous and cruel,” PETA said in announcing the reward. The organization urged anyone who recognizes the woman or vehicle to come forward.
Dog’s Rescue Ended Better Than Many Cases
The outcome for this dog shifted quickly after local animal control officers intervened. After being taken into custody, the dog was transported to a shelter and later placed into a permanent home through adoption.
That resolution, however, has not ended the investigation into how the animal ended up abandoned along the roadway in the first place.
Cases involving abandoned dogs frequently draw public attention in New Jersey, especially when surveillance footage exists that could help identify a suspect. Investigators often rely on tips from residents familiar with vehicles, clothing descriptions, or distinctive behaviors seen in released video clips.
PETA did not say whether additional footage or still images from the surveillance video would be released publicly.
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Authorities Seek Public Tips
The investigation remains focused on identifying the woman seen in the video and confirming ownership of the Nissan Altima. Anyone with information connected to the abandonment case is encouraged to contact investigators or PETA.
The dog is now safe in an adoptive home, but no arrest has been announced as of Wednesday.
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