Brick, New Jersey ; Police have arrested two residents of a home in Brick, New Jersey during an investigation into an alleged illegal puppy farm operation where at least 180 animals were found.
Authorities said many of the animals found at the home on Saturday were in very poor physical condition and were being kept in very poor conditions. Two dogs were found dead, eight animals were sent to the emergency vet.
Police spokesman Sergeant Brick. James Kelly said that the medical personnel kept the animals outside the house for more than 10 hours.
"The house was full of animal waste and the animals were living in horrible and inhumane conditions," Kelly said.
Amy Lonchak, 49, and Michelle Nich, 58, lived in the home along with Lonchak's 16-year-old child. Lonchak and Nich were arrested for animal cruelty and child endangerment, Kelly said. Authorities said additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
The residence was also condemned by the local building and regulation department.
Colorado Springs shooting: Suspect faces 305 counts, including hate crimes and murder
Attracting Amazon: The company has received millions of dollars in government incentives across the country.
Brickyard Police Officer Scott Smith and Officer Brennan Lanni arrived at the home at 7:30 p.m. Friday after an anonymous complaint from a local resident that they were operating a puppy mill that the Humane Society described as "a large number of inhumane dogs." "Puppies for profit, neglecting the needs of the puppies and their mothers."
Officers encountered two neighbors in the driveway where both officers smelled a strong odor coming from the home and heard dogs barking.
© Dan Radel Brick Police, fire and EMS and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department responded to an illegal puppy mill operation at a residence on Arrowhead Park Drive on December 3, 2022.Officers were then admitted to the residence and immediately observed a strong odor and unsanitary conditions. Kelly said officers saw animal crates stacked on top of each other, with dogs and cats in crates. Due to the circumstances, the officers left and called an ambulance.
Officers initially estimated there were about 30 animals in the one-story home, but when rescuers were able to enter the home, it turned out to be more than 100.
A total of 135 dogs and 45 cats were taken away by the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. They are a mix of sizes, ages and races, Kelly said.
Dozens of police, fire and EMS, chemical defense teams and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department were parked outside the home Saturday. Some neighbors also came out to their yards and expressed their anger at the home, but declined to speak to the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY network.
The animals are at the Ocean County Health Department's large animal facilities in Jackson and Stafford, as well as the emergency shelter in Barnegat, health department spokesman Brian Lipai said.
"Most of them seemed friendly and in good shape," Lipai said. However, "they are messy" and need pet shampoo, food, toys, and cat and dog litter.
According to Lipay, animals removed from the home cannot be adopted and remain the property of Lonchak and Nich.
Lipai said if the judge gives ownership of the animals to the health department, the animals can be adopted after temperature and health evaluations. There is no concrete timetable for this decision yet.
Contact reporter Dan Redel @danielradelapp on Twitter or at dradel@gannettnj.com.
Contact reporter Amanda Oglesby @OglesbyAPP on Twitter or at aoglesby@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press: Police raid alleged 'puppy mill' in New Jersey and find 180 animals living in 'horrendous' conditions.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment