Mercer County Woman Accused Of Beating Family Dog To Death

HIGHSTOWN, NJ (CBS) – Officials say a 19-year-old woman has been charged with killing her family's dog.

Authorities say Michelle Wankoff allegedly attempted to poison nine-year-old "Chuck" with various medications and when that failed, she hit the dog about the head with a shovel and claw hammer until he died.

According to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, she allegedly then stored the dog's body in a small refrigerator in her bedroom for a few days, then buried him in a shallow grave, which was discovered by Highstown police and SPCA police in the woods on July 25.

Highstown police notified the state SPCA after receiving a tip that Wankoff had allegedly bragged about killing and burying the dog.

Authorities say Wankoff is charged with third-degree animal cruelty, fourth degree animal cruelty, fourth-degree tampering with evidence, third-degree possession of weapons for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of weapons.

State examiners will conduct a necropsy to determine the manner of death.

Authorities say Tyler Phernamucq, a friend of Wankoff, was issued a summons for tampering with evidence for his alleged role in assisting Wankoff with burying Chuck.

Officials say her Wankoff's bail was set at $25,000.