A New Jersey couple faces $1 million in fines after it was discovered they were hoarding 276 dogs.
Charlene and Joseph Handrick of Howell were in court yesterday for their initial appearance in which they each face 552 counts of animal cruelty, two for each animal found in their home.
Municipal Court Judge Susan Schroeder Clark explained the charges and consequences if found guilty, along with the financial penalties they will incur. Each charge carries a maximum $1,000 fine.
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Related: 276 Dogs Rescued From Awful Hoarding Situation
Also if found guilty, the Handricks will be required to do community service and may have to pay restitution for the care of the dogs after they were rescued. The couple entered non-guilty pleas during their appearance.
While it’s unlikely the couple will be found guilty of every charge, Lt. Tom Nuccio of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believed the final amount they may pay back could be six figures.
The couple faces such a steep punishment after officers discovered 276 dogs in their home on June 3 and called it “the worst hoarding situation” in Monmouth County.
Related: Puppy Nearly Trampled to Death in Shelter With 4,000 Dogs Overcomes All Odds and Survives
Living in deplorable conditions, there were dogs everywhere. Many were sitting on bookshelves, with one specially built as some sort of “hamster cage for dogs,” Tierney Park, a Monmouth Sheriff’s deputy, told NBC New York. Others were under beds and some were even living in walls. Around 20 were pregnant.
All dogs were brought into rescues, and the first bunch was adopted out yesterday.
