PRINCETON: Man indicted on animal cruelty charge

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
   A Princeton man who passed himself off as a dog trainer was indicted Wednesday for third-degree animal cruelty in the death of a female German shepherd mix in August.
   Michael G. Rosenberg, a Megan’s law sex offender who lived on Birch Avenue, faces up to five years in state prison if found guilty. Mr. Rosenberg, scheduled to be arraigned March 8, plans to fight the “ridiculous” charge, his lawyer said Friday.
   ”He didn’t do it. Period,” said James R. Wronko, the attorney, in a phone interview.
   In this case, the dog’s owner had left 3 ½-year-old Shyanne with him along with some money. Authorities alleged that around Aug. 26 to Aug. 28, Mr. Rosenberg abused the dog with a crop whip and threw her to the ground.
   Shyanne suffered four broken ribs, a punctured lung and hypothermia, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday in announcing the indictment.
   She died without her owner, Lawrenceville resident Tracy B. Stanton, ever seeing her alive again.
   Ms. Stanton, pleased to see Mr. Rosenberg indicted, said Friday that she hopes he goes to prison. She also urged other victims to come forward.
   ”I hope this indictment sends a message to people that abuse of animals is criminal and won’t be tolerated,” she said. “The link between abuse to animals and abuse to humans has been thoroughly researched and is undeniable”