BRICK, NJ (CBS) — Two people in Ocean County were arrested for animal cruelty and child endangerment Friday night, according to police. Officers responded to a home in Ocean County after an anonymous complaint about a possible puppy mill.
When officers arrived, they rescued 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 the residents, Aimee Lonczak, 49, and Michele Nycz, 58.
During the initial interview, officers could smell a strong animal odor coming from the home. They were allowed into the house where they found a large number of abandoned animals.
Inside, there were dogs and cats in crates stacked on top of each other.
Police called in the hazmat team for help because the house was covered in feces. That’s also when they found two dead dogs inside the house.
Rescuers took about 10 hours to remove all the animals that were sent to various shelters in the area.
A responding veterinarian also sent at least eight animals to 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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