If Charlene and Joseph Handrik are each found guilty of a 552 counts of animal cruelty, they could face more than $1 million in fines. However, officials with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that wasn't a likely scenario.
Officials with the Monmouth County SPCA responded to the Handrick's bi-level Bennett Road home on June 3 after one of the couple's dogs got loose. An officer for the Associated Humane Societies was in the area trying to find the home of the lost dog when he came upon the so-called hoarding house. The officer heard barking of what he assumed was about 20 dogs.
When officials first started removing the dogs — mostly mixes of yorkies, poos, Chihuahuas and pugs — they first thought about 80 to 100 dogs were in the home. However, as the day progressed, they quickly realized they were dealing with a more serious case of extreme hoarding. In all, 276 dogs — ranging in age from 4 years old to 15 minutes old — were pulled from the home.
At least one dog was giving birth on the kitchen counter as officers were pulling the dogs from the home.
At municipal court in Howell, the couple appeared side by side in front of Judge Susan Schroeder Clark.
Clark told the couple, who were both wearing jeans, that they each face 276 counts of animal cruelty for failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care to their dogs and 276 counts of animal cruelty for inflicting unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal or creature by providing inhumane living conditions.
All of the charges are disorderly persons offenses.
Along with a $1,000 fine for each count, the couple faces mandatory community service and could be ordered to pay restitution for shelter, food and veterinary care for the dogs. They also could serve six months in jail.
Monmouth County SPCA Lt. Tom Nuccio told reporters after the brief court hearing that the cost of restitution could be close to six figures.
Nuccio said none of the 276 dogs have died, and all are in "good shape." He said about 30 to 40 dogs have already been adopted.
He said officials are in the process of seeking to have restrictions placed on the Handrik's so that they can't purchase any more dogs. But, Nuccio said, if they wanted to buy a dog today, nothing could stop them from doing that. The couple has not purchased any new dogs, he added, though they initially tried to get a couple back from authorities.
"These are like their children," Nuccio said.
Clark entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Charlene and Joseph Handrik. Clark denied Charlene Handrik's request for a public defender after reviewing her application. She will be given the opportunity to hire an attorney that fits with her budget. After hearing Charlene Handric's exchange with Clark, Joseph Handrik indicated that he would hire an attorney.
A future court date will be scheduled, and the couple will return with their attorneys. No date has been set yet.
The couple declined to speak with reporters after the hearing.
(NJ.com - June 29, 2016)
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