R&B Singer Keeps Starved Dogs In Crates Partially Filled With Water, Feces; Arrested

An R&B singer has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after police discovered 15 starved dogs living in crates that were partially filled with water and feces at his New Jersey home.

Hillsborough Township police were called to the home of 44-year-old Jaheim Hoagland Monday on a report of a "puppy in distress," reported New York Daily News.

Upon arrival, officers reportedly found six dogs in the driveway. One of the canines was found unresponsive in a crate filled with water. The dog had to be put down later, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said.

"Defendant Hoagland was placed under arrest for an unrelated Somerset County Violation of Probation Warrant, along with two active Municipal Court Warrants from Hillsborough Township and Newark, New Jersey," the Prosecutor's Office said in a statement posted on Facebook.

More canines were found in deplorable conditions in separate crates that were "partially filled with several inches of water and dog feces" as per the statement. While police were tending to the animals found outside and waiting for the officers from Animal Control Solutions to respond, they heard more barks coming from inside the house.

"An additional nine dogs were located inside of the residence in varying stages of emaciation, without access to food and water," the Prosecutor's Office further said.

All 14 surviving canines were brought to Long Hill Kennel in Hillsborough. However, two of them had to be taken to AnimERge veterinarian first as they had to undergo emergency treatment owing to their poor condition.

Police recovered twelve mixed breeds Pitbull Terriers, including the canine which was later euthanized, two American Staffordshire Terriers and one mixed breed Boxer.

Hoagland is known for his hits "Put That Woman First," "Anything" and "Fabulous." His 2006 album, "Ghetto Classics," made it to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart.

The singer has been booked into the Somerset County Jail on charges of third-degree animal cruelty and failure to provide necessary care to an animal. His court hearing is pending.

Police are urging anyone with information on the case to call the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Chief Humane Officer at (908) 575-3353 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at (908) 369-4323.