Animal Abuser Set Two Dogs on Fire: Now Up for Early Parole?
By KATHLEEN HOPKINS
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
Ronald Fredericks, 37, was sentenced to 18 months in state prison on Nov. 5 for setting two dogs on fire on March 30.
"Talking about parole already is a little shocking," said John Bergmann, director of the Associated Humane Societies' Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey, where the dogs were taken to recuperate.
"The dogs stayed in a basement without any veterinary care for two weeks," Bergmann said of the fate of the animals before they were removed from Fredericks' home on April 12 by Scott Watkins, an investigator for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The two dogs had been doused with WD-40 lubricant and set on fire. The act was characterized by Watkins as the most heinous he had ever seen committed against animals. The case evoked strong emotions from animal lovers across the globe.
When Superior Court Judge Vincent J. Grasso imposed the prison term on Fredericks, he noted that he received "volumes" of letters about the case from people in 19 states and one from Australia. And he said photographs he viewed of the dogs after they were burned were "heartbreaking."
Now the Parole Board has issued notice that early next year it will consider whether to release Fredericks from prison by his first possible parole date of April 25.
The parole eligibility date takes into account the 101 days Fredericks spent in the Ocean County Jail awaiting disposition of his case.
The sentence Grasso imposed on Fredericks for two counts of animal cruelty that he had pleaded guilty to did not include a mandatory minimum period Fredericks would be required to serve before being considered for parole.
Parole Board spokesman Edward Bray said a parole hearing has not yet been scheduled for Fredericks.
"It could happen any time between now and early April," Bray said.
First, Fredericks would be evaluated by a hearing officer who would decide whether to refer a decision on his possible release to a two-member panel of the Parole Board or to make a recommendation which the Parole Board could accept or reject.
Anyone wishing to submit comments to the Parole Board on Fredericks' possible release should do so in writing before Jan. 13. Comments may be sent to the New Jersey Parole Board, P.O. Box 862, Trenton, NJ 08625.
If Fredericks is released on parole, he would be supervised
by a parole officer, Bray said.If Fredericks is not released on parole, he would complete his term on Oct. 24, Bray said. That means he would be released into the community without any supervision, he said.
Under the sentence imposed by Grasso, Fredericks would be banned from owning animals while on parole.
During court proceedings on the matter, Fredericks said he suffers from alcoholism and that one of the dogs, Shadow, whom he was watching for neighbors who were traveling out of state, accidentally caught fire while he was drinking beer, cleaning tools and trying to light a cigarette. But Watkins has maintained that did not explain how Fredericks' own dog, Poppy, was burned.
Fredericks is serving his term at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton in Cumberland County, which offers substance-abuse treatment programs, among other services.
Shadow, a female shepherd-chow who was 6 months old when the incident occurred, was more seriously burned, with extensive damage to her ears and face. Poppy, a 2-year-old, female Pekingese, also suffered burns to her ears. Both dogs have areas where their fur won't grow back, according to officials at the Popcorn Park Zoo.
Both dogs have recovered from their injuries. Poppy was adopted in October. However, Shadow cannot yet be adopted because she is still very apprehensive around people, according to the zoo's Bergmann.
"Her rehabilitation is going to be longer than his (Fredericks')," Bergmann said. "Hopefully she'll be able to be adopted before he gets out."
Kathleen Hopkins: (732) 557-5732 or Khopkins@app.com
The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted.
~ Samuel Smiles