Browns Mills couple charged after shooting dog during house call
Prosecutors allege the pair kept animals in poor conditions and used false online claims to raise funds for their rescue.
By Nikolai Morales ·
Thomas Thompson, 37, and Brooke Thompson, 34, face new criminal charges in Burlington County. The couple operated a dog rescue called Gone Rogue Girls Rescue. Officials say they kept animals in poor conditions and killed them illegally. They also posted false stories online to collect donations.
Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Pemberton Township Police Chief Jon Glass announced the charges. Both Thompsons were cited for two counts of animal cruelty each. They also face weapons violations and other related charges.
The investigation began last month. Mullica Township police received a complaint from a local resident. That resident had fostered a pit bull named Biggie Smalls for the rescue. The Thompsons visited her home in April to give the dog a vaccine.
The resident told police that Biggie Smalls tried to bite Brooke Thompson during the visit. Thomas Thompson then pulled a gun from his waistband. He shot the dog in the head, the resident said. The couple placed the animal's body in a bag and took it with them.
Investigators describe the living conditions at the rescue as deplorable. They say the couple euthanized animals without proper authorization. They also fabricated narratives on the internet to solicit charitable money. Authorities have not stated how many dogs were affected by these actions.
No timeline has been set for the Thompsons' court appearance. Officials have not indicated whether additional charges are pending. The case is being handled by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office and the Pemberton Township Police Department.
