EAST WINDSOR A man charged with starving to death his 7-year-old pit bull will avoid going to jail because New Jersey law does not consider animal abuse a violent crime.
Matthew Wydrinski, 36, of East Windsor, posted on the internet looking for help with a sick dog, which police later said died.
Wydrinski was hit with third-degree charges of animal cruelty for failing to provide the animal with necessary care, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri.
After pleading not guilty, Wydrinski applied for pre-trial intervention, which allows first-time non-violent offenders to avoid incarceration. Wydrinski had no prior criminal record, according to the prosecutor.