Later Friday, that count was amended to more than 270 animals as officials located more dogs.
Ross Licitra, chief of the Monmouth County SPCA, said dogs were giving birth to litters as investigators continued to sort through the animals being kept in the split-level house on Bennett Road in Howell. Officials said they had removed more than 200 dogs and that figure is expected to climb.
"Upon investigation, we realized really quickly this is absolutely the worst hoarding situation we've seen in Monmouth County," Licitra said.
He described the conditions inside the home as "deplorable."
"The smell is overwhelming when you open the door," Licitra said.
Workers helping to remove the dogs said there were holes inside the walls where dogs were living. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, who was at the scene, said fire officials would assist in using thermal-imaging cameras to help locate the dogs.
As workers opened the front door, hoards of dogs could be heard yapping. Licitra said the dogs are primarily smaller breeds -- pugs, Yorkies, bulldogs, and chihuahua, as well as some mixed breeds.
The residents, a man and woman who have not been identified [later identified as Joseph Handrik and Charlene Handrik and charged with animal cruelty], will face an "enormous amount of charges," though none have been filed as yet, Licitra said. He said the couple, who are middle-aged, are cooperating. The homeowners remained inside the home as officials pulled the dogs out. The man declined to comment.
Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said his office will consider a couple different factors before filing charges against the homeowners. If any charges are filed, they could range from disorderly person offenses to indictable offenses depending on whether there are aggravating circumstances, such as whether any of the dogs died or are malnourished.
"This is just the beginning," Gramiccioni said. "It will take some time to flesh out."
Officials started removing the dogs at 9:30 a.m. and the investigation will likely continue into the evening, Licitra said. The Monmouth County SPCA responded after they were notified by an officer with the Associated Humane Society.
The St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center is assisting with the rescue effort and will help care for the dogs, Licitra said. The dogs will later be made available for adoption.
The president and CEO of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, Heather Cammissa, said some of the dogs could go up for adoption as early as next week. Others could take more time, Cammissa said.
"They've been around other animals, obviously, just not a lot of people," she said.
Licitra said it appears the couple allowed the situation to get out of hand, and that this is a "crime of omission." Most of the dogs are in "fair condition," he added.
"The animals, they have no choice, they have no say in it," Licitra said. "Humans have that choice."
(NJ.com - June 3, 2016)
