By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
HOWELL – The attorney representing the Howell couple from whose home more than 270 dogs were removed in June said his clients are considering a plea deal that has been offered to them.
Attorney Raymond Raya, of Freehold, represents Charlene and Joseph Handrick of Bennent Road, Howell.
On Oct. 14, as the case returned to Howell municipal court, Raya and his clients met with municipal prosecutor Steven Zabarsky and representatives of the Monmouth County SPCA.
Raya said the couple is considering a plea offer that has been put forth and said if the offer is accepted it will eliminate the need for a trial. No details of the plea offer were made public.
Another court date has not been scheduled.
“It is important to note the Handricks spent quite a bit on dog food for the animals … and I think there is a major question about whether (what) has been reported in the news media is criminal or if the charges are more of a civil nature,” Raya said.
“Negotiations at this point include everything, what all the penalties are going to be and their ability to own pets in the future. This case may be resolved by way of a plea bargain or it may (go) to trial; it all depends on how our negotiations go.
“If this case was to be tried, you would essentially have a mini-trial on each dog. You would have 276 trials and you would be bringing in medical evidence about each dog. Who knows how long the case could take then,” he said.
“The SPCA has been great through this entire process,” Raya said. “They have treated the Handricks with respect and courtesy and I think that clearly from the condition of the dogs in terms of the fact there was no evidence they were purposefully abused, I think that goes a long with the SPCA … It was just too many (dogs) and when you have too many you have overcrowding and issues with being sanitary and with everything. It could have been a lot worse.”
On June 3, 276 dogs were removed from the Handricks’ home by representatives of the MCSPCA.
Charlene and Joseph Handrick were each charged with 276 counts of animal cruelty for failure to provide proper shelter for the dogs and 276 counts of animal cruelty for failure to provide proper veterinary care. They received summonses for failure to license and vaccinate hundreds of the dogs.
Each charge carries a maximum fine of $1,000 with a possibility of jail time and community service for the charges which are considered disorderly persons offenses.
