Neptune Man Fined For Stabbing Dog

Popcorn Park Zoo was credited with saving the life of a dog that was stabbed by a Neptune man who recently admitted to the altercation.

Altarik Cullun, 27, of Neptune, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of animal cruelty in front of Asbury Park Municipal Court Judge Daniel J. DiBenedetto.

Cullun admitted he stabbed a dog in the chest during an altercation with its owner in December, said Victor “Buddy” Amato, Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer at the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Eatontown, in a press release issued Monday.

Cullun was sentenced to pay more than $2,000 in fines and restitution.

The charges arose from an incident on Dec. 15, 2012, when Cullun was involved in an altercation with the dog’s owner in the 1400 block of Mattison Avenue in Asbury Park. At some point during the altercation a knife was produced and the dog came to the aid of its owner when Cullun stabbed the dog in the chest.

The dog, an American Staffordshire Terrier, was transported to the Popcorn Park Zoo, in Lacey, where the dog underwent emergency surgery, Amato explained.

Amato recognized the veterinary staff at Popcorn Park Zoo, attributing the animal rescue and sanctuary with saving the dog’s life.