BRICK, NJ (CBS) — Two people in Ocean County were arrested for animal cruelty and child endangerment Friday night, police said. Officers responded to a home in Ocean County following an anonymous complaint about a possible puppy mill.
When the police arrived, they saved nearly 200 animals, but for at least two dogs, help was too late.
Police in Brick, New Jersey, were at a home on Arrowhead Park Drive at 7:30 p.m. Friday, where they were greeted by residents Aimee Lonczak, 49, and Michele Nycz, 58 years old.
During the initial interview, officers could smell a strong animal odor coming from the home. They were allowed into the house where they were greeted by a lot of neglected animals.
Inside, there were dogs and cats in crates stacked on top of each other.
Police requested assistance from the hazmat team as the house was covered in faeces. That’s when they found two dead dogs in the house.
It took rescuers about 10 hours to remove all the animals, which were sent to a number of shelters in the area.
A responding veterinarian also sent at least eight animals for emergency veterinary care.
Further investigation also revealed that a 16-year-old teenager, Lonczak’s daughter, lived in the home. Lonczak and Nycz were arrested for animal cruelty and child endangerment.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
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