A couple who had more than 270 dogs living in their Bennett Road, Howell, home will face more than 550 counts of animal cruelty, Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
In a press release, the prosecutor said representatives of the Monmouth County SPCA signed complaints against Charlene and Joseph Handrik. They are charged with 276 counts of animal cruelty for inflicting unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal or creature by providing inhumane living conditions and an additional 276 counts of animal cruelty for failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care to their dogs. All of the charges are disorderly persons offenses.
“After extensive discussions between the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA), and a review of the animal cruelty statute, the decision was made to charge the Handriks with disorderly persons animal cruelty charges as opposed to indictable animal cruelty charges,” said Ross Licitra, interim president, chief executive officer and chief law enforcement officer at the MCSPCA.
“This decision was due in large part to the miraculous fact that despite living in deplorable conditions and not receiving proper veterinary care, the dogs seized from the residence were in relatively good physical health,” Gramiccioni said.
Additional charges are expected to be filed against the couple, including charges for not properly licensing and vaccinating their animals. The case is expected to be prosecuted in Howell Municipal Court, according to the press release.
MCSPCA was called in by Howell Animal Control on June 3 after responding to a call about a stray dog running around the neighborhood prompted concern about the number of dogs inside the Handriks’ Bennett Road home.
MCSPCA, along with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Howell Police Department, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center and Associated Humane Societies responded to the scene where 276 dogs were discovered living in the home and subsequently removed.
The couple could face substantial fines and penalties if found guilty on all counts, according to the press release.
