06/05/2026
๐๐ช๐ข๐ข๐๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฟ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐ผ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐๐๐จ ๐ผ๐ง๐ง๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ก ๐พ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ก ๐ฟ๐ค๐ ๐ผ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ซ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ
๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐, ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐, ๐๐๐๐ โ The Summit Police Department is providing an update regarding the investigation into the fatal dog attack that occurred on November 5, 2025, which resulted in serious injuries to a Summit resident and the death of her dog.
At approximately 6:51 a.m. on November 5, 2025, Summit Police officers responded to VEG Emergency Hospital, located at 720 Morris Essex Turnpike, for a report of an injured dog brought to the facility following an animal attack. Officers met with a 70-year-old Summit resident who reported that while walking her small dog near 91 Springfield Avenue at approximately 5:52 a.m., two pit bulls broke free from their handler and launched an unprovoked attack on her and her pet.
The victim was knocked to the ground and sustained injuries to both upper thighs, her right hand, and her right arm. Tragically, her dog later succumbed to its injuries and was pronounced deceased later that day.
The Summit Police Department Detective Bureau immediately initiated an extensive investigation, utilizing surveillance footage and witness statements to identify the owner of the dogs involved. In coordination with Summitโs contracted animal control, Animal Control Solutions, and the Westfield Regional Health Department, two dogs were subsequently surrendered and impounded pending judicial proceedings.
On April 28, 2026, following proceedings in Summit Municipal Court, the Honorable Judge John De Massi determined that the surrendered dogs met the statutory criteria for euthanasia under New Jersey law. The dogs were euthanized shortly thereafter.
Following the conclusion of the case, new information was brought to the attention of the Summit Police Department suggesting that one of the dogs surrendered in November 2025 may not have been involved in the attack. Based upon concerns raised by a witness familiar with the animals, detectives conducted a supplemental investigation and reviewed additional surveillance footage, photographs, videos, and witness testimony.
As a result of that investigation, detectives developed probable cause to believe that a different dog had been surrendered to authorities and that a dog believed to have been involved in the November 2025 attack remained in the owner's possession. Investigators further determined there was probable cause to believe false statements had been made during judicial proceedings regarding the identity of the dogs surrendered to authorities.
On June 4, 2026, the Summit Police Department, in consultation with the Union County Prosecutor's Office Special Prosecutions and Animal Cruelty Unit, obtained a warrant charging Stethanie Jacobs, 48, of Summit, with:
โข ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฒ (๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐), ๐ข๐ง ๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐.๐.๐.๐. ๐:๐๐-๐๐๐(๐)
โข ๐๐๐ซ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฒ (๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐), ๐ข๐ง ๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐.๐.๐.๐. ๐๐:๐๐-๐๐
Ms. Jacobs was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Union County Jail pending court proceedings.
In addition to the arrest of Ms. Jacobs, the dog believed to have participated in the November 2025 attack, identified as "Blue," was voluntarily surrendered to Animal Control Solutions and has been impounded pending further judicial review.
The Summit Police Department would like to thank Animal Control Solutions, the Westfield Regional Health Department, the Union County Prosecutor's Office Special Prosecutions and Animal Cruelty Unit, and all individuals who came forward with information that assisted in advancing this investigation.
Chief Ryan Peters stated: "Like many members of our community, I am deeply troubled and saddened by the information uncovered during this supplemental investigation. The possibility that an innocent dog was surrendered and ultimately euthanized in place of the dog believed to have been responsible for this tragic attack is both heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend. While our officers, animal control officials, health department personnel, and the court relied upon the information and representations provided at the time, these new developments have raised serious concerns that warranted immediate investigation and action.
โOur thoughts remain with the victim who suffered injuries and lost her beloved pet. I want to thank the resident who came forward with the new information that led to our supplemental investigation. As law enforcement professionals, we are committed to following the facts wherever they lead and ensuring that the integrity of the judicial process is preserved. We will continue working closely with our prosecutorial and animal control partners as this matter moves forward through the court system."
As with all criminal matters, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. No additional information will be released at this time.
