The group says Pierce's two pit bulls escaped from a fenced enclosure in his yard on January 30th - just days before the big game. One of the dogs was found to be underweight and suffering from a respiratory illness. That's why Pierce was issued a summons.
SPCA chief Walt Mychal stressed that Pierce was not charged with anything related to dogfighting.
The Star-Ledger of Newark reported in Thursday's newspapers that, through a team spokesman, Pierce declined comment.