Women Running ‘puppy Mill Charged For Keeping 180 Animals In Filthy, Cruel Conditions, Police Say

Two Ocean County women have been charged after authorities investigated a report that they operated a puppy mill at their Brick home.

Aimee Lonczak, 49, and Michele Nycz, 58, have been charged with animal cruelty and child endangerment after officers found 180 animals living in unsanitary conditions, many of them piled on top of each other others, on Arrowhead Park Drive. said Saturday.

At around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Brick Police humane officers responded to an anonymous tip that Lonczak and Nycz were operating a puppy mill from their home.

When officers arrived, they spoke with Lonczak and Nycz in the driveway of the house and immediately smelled a strong odor coming from the residence, police said. They even barked.

Officers were let into the home, where they immediately noticed several stacked pet crates, strong odors and unsanitary conditions, prompting them to leave and return with a Hazmat team.

According to Brick Township police, officers initially believed there were only 30 animals in the home. But as we got closer to the situation, it became clear there was more to it.

"The house was full of animal waste and the animals were living in horrific and inhumane conditions," police said in a statement. At least two animals that were abducted died, both dogs.

A total of 135 dogs and 45 cats were removed from their homes. Eight animals were immediately sent for emergency veterinary care, police said.

According to the police, it took about ten hours to remove the animals.

According to the police, they were taken to various animal shelters with the help of some local organizations. Some shelters have asked for donations such as shampoo, blankets and towels for rescued animals.

Public tax filings revealed that Lonczak was the president of Crazy Rescue Ladies, Inc., a tax-exempt nonprofit that bills itself as an animal rescue group. Nycz is listed as the nonprofit's secretary on her 2018 tax returns. The group was originally registered in Cooper City, Florida, where Lonczak lived, but as of 2020 Arrowhead Park Drive is its head office.

No one at Crazy Rescue Ladies responded to requests for comment.

The child endangerment allegations involve Lonczak's 16-year-old daughter, who lives at the home. The residence was later condemned by the Brick Building and Code Division, officials said.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

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Deion Johnson can be contacted at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com . Follow him on Twitter @DeionRJohhnson .