More than 50 people rallied in Ocean County after prosecutors said 56-year-old Jeffrey Lentz shot his stepdaughter’s 1-year-old French bulldog, Ruby, in the face last October. A veterinarian later found a bullet in Ruby’s jaw and Lentz was arrested in November 2025. He rejected a five-year plea offer, has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty and weapons charges, and the case is moving to a jury trial. The dog’s owner and supporters continue to demand accountability.
Man Rejects Plea, Heads To Jury Trial After Alleged Killing Of Stepdaughter’s French Bulldog
Jeffrey Lentz and RubyOcean County Jail;Justice for Ruby/Facebook
More than 50 people rallied outside an Ocean County, New Jersey, courthouse this month after prosecutors said 56-year-old Jeffrey Lentz shot his stepdaughter’s 1-year-old French bulldog, Ruby, in the face last October. The case intensified when Lentz reportedly rejected a five-year plea offer and the matter moved toward a jury trial.
RubyJustice for Ruby/Facebook
Case Background
Authorities say Lentz and his wife were caring for Ruby while his stepdaughter, Nicole Guarino, and her husband attended a wedding. Guarino initially accepted Lentz’s explanation that Ruby’s injury was the result of an animal attack. A veterinarian later discovered a bullet lodged in Ruby’s jaw, and Lentz was arrested in November 2025 on multiple charges.
Jeffrey LentzOcean County Jail
Charges
According to local reports, Lentz has pleaded not guilty and faces counts including animal cruelty, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and possession of a large-capacity magazine. Prosecutors reportedly offered a plea deal that would have required a guilty plea on weapons and cruelty charges in exchange for a five-year prison term; Lentz rejected that offer and the case will now proceed to trial.
RubyJustice for Ruby/Facebook
Family Reaction and Protests
Guarino and her husband have led public calls for accountability. More than 50 demonstrators gathered at the courthouse and later at the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office carrying signs such as “Justice 4 Ruby” and urging prosecutors to seek the maximum sentence for the alleged cruelty.
“I trusted them. What daughter wouldn’t trust her parents?”
Guarino told reporters she considered Ruby part of the family. “She wasn’t property. She was family,” she said. “She was like our child.” In an emotional interview outside the prosecutor’s office, Guarino added: “All I want is my dog back and she’s not coming back. This is all we can do, is to try to make sure her life mattered.”
What’s Next
Local outlets report Lentz is due back in court on March 16 as the case moves toward a jury trial. Investigators and the family say Lentz and his wife have not provided a full explanation for what happened to Ruby while the dog’s owners were away.
Sources: Reports from People, NJ.com, News 12 New Jersey and Jersey Online.
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