Newark 'Mad Woman' Indicted in Dog Toss Case

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Haniyyah Barne, 25
Essex County Prosecutors Office 

It all began over a parking spot. Now, almost a year later, a Newark woman is facing Third-Degree Animal Cruelty and Criminal Mischief charges after police say she kicked in the door of the victim then threatened and assaulted the victim before killing their pet.

According to a press release, in August 2011, Haniyyah Barnes burst into the home of a neighbor after squabbling over a parking space. Hearing the commotion, the frightened neighbors Shih Tzu puppy, Honey Bey, ran into the room and began barking at Barnes. The defendant then allegedly grabbed the poor pooch by his throat and ran outside.

Shih Tzu, Honey Bey
Essex County Prosecutors Office

A Newark police officer, who witnessed the incident, said that Barnes then tossed the two-year-old dog into oncoming traffic where she was struck by a vehicle and later died, said Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Michele Miller.

The officer immediately apprehended the 25-year-old defendant and placed her under arrest.

An Essex County Grand Jury later returned a four-count indictment against Barnes, which included charges of Second-Degree Burglary, and Third-Degree Theft. Her arraignment date is set for June 18 before Judge Verna Leath, said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.

 A neighbor of Barnes' referred to her as a "mad woman."

"That’s a mad woman. How could you go kick down your neighbors door over parking space when…and you don’t even own the streets? It’s psychological, to do something like that — it sounds crazy," the neighbor told 1010 WINS’ Glenn Schuck.