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Authorities found more than 30 dead dogs at a southern New Jersey home this weekfor which two people were charged with animal cruelty and child endangerment.
The Evesham Police Department stated that Agents found live and dead dogs at the residence Monday, along with several cats and rabbits.
Investigators believe as many as 100 dogs died at the home, including many believed to have been buried on the property, according to The Associated Press.
Nine of the living dogs were taken to an animal hospital for treatment.including several who were in very poor health, authorities said, adding that one of those dogs eventually had to be euthanized.
Rebecca Halbach, 35, and Brandon Leconey, 32, were arrested Monday in Evesham, a Philadelphia suburb. Police responded to the home after someone associated with a North Carolina-based animal rescue group, which had given the couple money to care for some of their dogs, reported seeing several malnourished and sick dogs in the house. property.
The authorities said that a 9-year-old boy who lived in the house was removed due to unsanitary conditions and turned over to child welfare officers. It was not clear if he was related to Halbach or Leconey.
When investigators arrived at the scene, they had to open the doors and windows to air out the house before it was safe for them to be inside.
Authorities said more charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
Leconey was being held at the Burlington County Jail while Halbach was being evaluated at a hospital for an undisclosed medical condition.
At the end of July, the owner of a ohio animal rescue organization faced several felony charges after authorities they discovered 30 dead dogs at two of their locations.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Friday that Searches at two locations linked to the nonprofit Helping Hands for Furry Paws also found 90 live dogs being kept in inhumane conditions.
Suspect Rhonda Murphy is described as the owner and operator of the organization. He faces “dozens of charges of neglect and cruelty to companion animals, both felonies and misdemeanors,” the office said.
The sheriff’s office said its dog wardens and humanitarian officers The dead canines were found at one of Madison Township’s registered rescue locations..
Dead animals were discovered in refrigerators and freezers, some not working, in various states of decomposition, the sheriff’s office said in its statement.
The reasons behind the search, and whether it was conducted with the permission of a judge, were not disclosed in the sheriff’s statement.
Agents also found dogs that were alive but in need of fresh air, food and water, the sheriff’s office said.