BRICK, N.J. (CBS) — Two people were arrested Friday night in Ocean County on charges of animal cruelty and child endangerment, police said. Officers responded to an Ocean County home following an anonymous complaint about a possible puppy mill.
When police arrived, they had rescued nearly 200 animals, but at least two dogs came too late.
Police in Brick, New Jersey, were at their home on Arrowhead Park Drive at 7:30 p.m. Friday and were greeted by residents of Amy Ronzac, 49, and Michele Niche, 58.
During the initial interview, officers were able to smell a strong animal odor coming from the house. They were allowed into the house, where they encountered many abandoned animals.
Inside were piles of dogs and cats in boxes.
The house was covered in faeces, so police called for help from the Hazardous Materials Team. That was also when they found two dead dogs in the house.
It took about 10 hours to rescue all the animals sent to shelters in many areas.
Responding veterinarians also sent at least eight animals for urgent veterinary care.
Further investigation also revealed that Ronzac’s daughter, a 16-year-old teenager, was living in the house. Lonczak and Nycz were arrested on animal cruelty and child endangerment charges.
The investigation is ongoing and additional claims may be filed.
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