The baffling incident occurred in the area around 106th Street and Fifth Avenue, a spot popular with dog walkers. NBC New York spoke to a man who said that he and his wife were walking their 13-year-old German shepherd-pit bull mix named Eli and their other dog, Sadie, on leashes in the area around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

The man, who only wished to be identified as Brian, said they walked by a man with three pit bulls, at least two of which were unleashed.

animals Jun 16

Long Island puppies suffer overdose symptoms after ingesting cocaine and fentanyl

animal stories Jun 16

Dog rescued after falling 300 feet off cliff in Oregon

USPS Jun 5

These 3 cities have had dogs attack the most U.S. postal carriers

“One of his dogs tried to bite my little dog and he tried to tell me that it’s OK. And I tried to talk sense into him,” Brian told News 4.

He and the man started to argue, as his dogs attacked Eli.

“I kicked one of the dogs off my dog at one point,” Brian said. “But then he took out a knife and started carving. And my dog growled. He stuck him…and I was helpless at that time.”

Brian said he took a photo of the man as he walked away (below). The couple then took their dog to the veterinarian, where Eli had to be put down.

“He’s a great dog, you know. He’s my boy,” Brian said.

Several dog owners in the area said they’ll now be even more cautious when walking their dogs at that location, and they’re also asking for more protection. Many expressed hope that the man who stabbed Eli is soon caught.

No arrests have yet been made. An investigation was ongoing, according to police.

The seriously injured dog was transported to a local animal clinic, where he was euthanized after the stabbing Saturday evening, police said.

According to the New York Daily News, an argument broke out between the man and the woman when the assailant’s unleashed dog began biting at the woman’s pit bull. As she tried to separate the dogs, the man pulled out a switchblade and stabbed the pit bull mix.

No arrests were made as of Sunday. An investigation was ongoing.

One family who found an injured rabbit in their yard this week is speaking out in hopes of spreading awareness and catching whomever is responsible.

Fifth-grader Teddy Cooper and his mom spotted one with an arrow through its back in their yard earlier this week.

“At first, I thought it was a pen, and when it turned, it looked like an arrow because it was right through its back,” he said. “I was like, ‘That thing must be in pain.'”

They took as many photos as possible before calling police.

“I made sure to give them the photos and told them everything we saw,” Liz Cooper said. “We also showed them the direction the bunny hopped in, because he was able to hop away.”

This is not the first time this has happened in Needham. Earlier this spring, a neighbor posted on social media about another rabbit that was shot with a crossbow. That rabbit later died.

Needham police do not know if the two incidents are connected, but they are investigating along with environmental police. Rabbit hunting is legal in Massachusetts, but a special license is needed to do it.

There are also nonviolent ways for gardeners to deal with rabbits, including products that can be sprayed on plants.

“You just wonder who is doing this and why. I don’t want to see anybody get hurt, that was my main concern,” Liz Cooper said.

Her son has a message to whomever is behind the violence.

“Whoever did it, knock it off. One animal hurt is too many,” Teddy Cooper said.

Police are encouraging anyone with information about the incidents to come forward.

Rebecca Klein went to the courthouse in Rockland County and said she’s essentially been found guilty of animal neglect — with no hearing and no criminal charges. 

“No one was calling me back, no one would talk to me and tell me this was going to be resolved. Months went by and I’ve sat home crying,” Klein told NBC New York.

animals Apr 14

NY Woman Claims Humane Society Wrongfully Took Her Dogs

news Apr 18

My First 6 Months of Owning a Dog in NYC Cost Me $5,500—Here's a Breakdown of My Spending

KELLER Apr 27

From Abuse to Love: Texas Dog Beaten and Hanged Finds New Life as a Therapy Pet for Kids

It took a lawsuit she filed against the Hudson Valley Humane Society for Klein to have her first day in court. Five months ago, her two pups — Lily, an emotional support animal who was pregnant, and Max, who had suffered a broken leg after being hit by a car — were seized by the group as peace officers executed a search warrant at the Suffern.

Klein has said she still has not been charged or has any idea what she did wrong — but still isn’t allowed to see her beloved dogs.

“I didn’t do anything to hurt them. They were the best thing that ever happened to me,” Klein previously told the I-Team.

The president of the Humane Society told NBC New York there is no definitive process when they seize animals and it could take up to two years to file charges. 

“You’re not seeing everything. Trust us, we are. We don’t get a warrant lightly,” said Hudson Valley Humane Society President AnnMarie Gaudio.

“You can see the lack of treatment of the dog — the dog had a displaced fractured that…for 21 days it wasn’t addressed,” said Todd Gilbert, the attorney for the Hudson Valley Humane Society.

What’s not in dispute is that Max got loose in Nov. 2022 and broke his leg after being hit by a car. Klein documented visits to clinics and veterinarians. As a registered nurse, she says she opted for a splint rather than expensive surgery — indicating one vet wanted $8,000.

Klein insisted that she did take Max to different clinics, but decided against surgery, saying she believed the dog could be safely splinted. He has since needed two surgeries. Gaudio said that Lily, who gave birth to seven puppies at the shelter, was removed from the home “for her safety.”

She also said there is more than meets the eye in this case.

“When you learn what happened in this case, you’ll be aghast,” Gaudio previously said to NBC New York.

The humane society said it has up to two years to file criminal charges and is still investigating and gathering final veterinary reports. But Klein’s attorney said it’s unacceptable that the dogs were taken without any sort of hearing.

“If you take someone’s property — in New York or anywhere else — you have to have a hearing, you have to afford people, in this case, people who own dogs, a hearing, and explain why you took the dogs. That’s why we brought this action,” said attorney Michael Koplen.

“Isn’t this America, innocent until proven guilty? I feel like I’m in another country,” Klein said.

The judge said she will read the arguments on both sides and then issue a decision. Klein says she will keep fighting to get her dogs back and to clear her name. Meanwhile, the Hudson Valley Humane Society said it is pressing the district attorney’s office to file criminal charges.

Rebecca Klein says she was unfairly accused while caring for her own pets. Her two pups — Lily, an emotional support animal, and Max — were seized by the Hudson Valley Humane Society while the group executed a search warrant.

“I didn’t do anything to hurt them. They were the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Klein, who sobbed as she spoke with the I-Team.

She has not been allowed to see them since that day. The president of the Humane Society told NBC New York there is no definitive process when they seize animals and it could take up to two years to file charges. 

“You’re not seeing everything. Trust us, we are. We don’t get a warrant lightly,” said Hudson Valley Humane Society President AnnMarie Gaudio.

What’s not in dispute is that Max got loose in Nov. 2022 and broke his leg after being hit by a car. Klein documented visits to clinics and veterinarians. As a registered nurse, she says she opted for a splint rather than expensive surgery — indicating one vet wanted $8,000.

“I opted to do the splint because I myself had surgery and I suffer from other problems, complications… I don’t think I was negligent,” said Klein. “I don’t think I did anything that should be looked at as negligent. I was definitely on top of it.”

Her ex-husband lives in the same Rockland County home and says she adores the dogs.

“When I think of animal cruelty, I think of dogs sitting out in the winter like those commercials when they try and raise money for the humane society,” said Robert Klein. “Rebecca is the opposite. This woman loves animals.”

But apparently, someone disagreed and flagged the Humane Society, which confiscated both dogs. Lily, who was pregnant at the time, gave birth to seven puppies at the shelter. 

So why did the Humane Society feel it was necessary to take both dogs, even though they claim that Max was the one mistreated? Gaudio said that “for her safety, we took Lily.” She also said there is more than meets the eye in this case.

“When you learn what happened in this case, you’ll be aghast,” Gaudio told NBC New York.

Klein’s next-door neighbor, a licensed therapist, said she went to the Humane Society and volunteered to foster the dogs. Her children often played with them.

“I was threatened that I was going to be arrested if I didn’t get off the property,” said Miriam Sultan. “Why not leave the dogs with me and my children if we’re willing to take them in. Especially because they know us.”

But the animal group wasn’t hearing any of it,

“It’s just another way to get the dog and give it to her — we’re not going to do that at this juncture,” said Gaudio, adding that she expects criminal charges to be filed in the next several days.

Meanwhile, Klein is still waiting for answers as to what she did wrong.

”You want to show me what I did that was wrong? I am willing to listen. I’m standing humble before these people. They have my dogs,” she said. “I’m lost here. If I did something wrong, I am sorry. If I did something, it wasn’t malice. Just tell me what I have to do to get my dogs.”

animals Apr 11

Security Camera Video Appears to Show NYC Man Kick, Hit Small Dog in Elevator

animals Apr 13

40+ Dogs and Cats — Alive and Dead — Found in Truck Left Behind NJ Mall

Victor Castillo, of Kingsbridge Heights, was arraigned Thursday on an indictment charging the 32-year-old with aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony charge.

“This was a spectacularly brutal act of animal abuse. The defendant is being held accountable for allegedly causing multiple fractures to the little dog’s head, killing him instantly,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.

animals Apr 14

NY Woman Claims Humane Society Wrongfully Took Her Dogs

animals Apr 11

Security Camera Video Appears to Show NYC Man Kick, Hit Small Dog in Elevator

animals Apr 13

40+ Dogs and Cats — Alive and Dead — Found in Truck Left Behind NJ Mall

According to the investigation, Castillo and his ex got into an argument on Feb. 9 in her apartment on Arthur Avenue. At some point during the exchange, he picked up her 9.5-pound Pomeranian named Ken-Shin by the neck and slammed the tiny dog’s head onto a wooden coffee table, the DA’s office said.

Blood splattered around the room, and the 7-year-old pup was killed instantly, the investigation found. A necropsy performed by the ASPCA’s veterinary forensic team revealed several skull fractures and cuts to Ken-Shin’s brain, which caused its death.

“We were saddened to learn about this devastating situation and will continue to support the investigation as part of our ongoing partnership with the NYPD to respond to suspected anima cruelty across New York City,” the ASPCA said in a statement.

Attorney information for Castillo was not immediately available. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 4.

The Virginia woman left her truck behind a Marshall’s off of Route 206 at the Sussex County Mall in Newton, according to police. That’s where investigators say they found 38 dogs and eight cats living inside the truck on Monday.

The remains of another 40-plus animals were also found inside trash bags, according to the Eleventh Hour Rescue group, which sent volunteers to help handle the putrid situation. The group said that the animals had been in the car for days.

animals Apr 11

Security Camera Video Appears to Show NYC Man Kick, Hit Small Dog in Elevator

dogs Mar 27

Queens Family Says Lost Dog Was Put Down by Animal Shelter Just Hours After Arriving

“These animals were living in these deplorable conditions since Thursday and who knows what they endured prior to this. The stench of this vehicle could be smelt from down the road,” the rescue group wrote in a Facebook post. “Our lungs are still burning from inhaling the fumes. Everything was soaked in feces, urine, & animal remains.”

The animals that survived were taken to shelters and will eventually be put up for adoption.

“I think we say this each time, we think ‘Oh this is the craziest story we’ve ever seen.’ And then this really was the craziest we’ve seen. To see them in a truck was unbelievable. And then they were put in crates as they were caught and found,” said Megan Brinster, the executive director of the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge.

Police did not say why the woman had the animals. She has been charged with animal cruelty.

The video shared on social media has been viewed thousands of times, though that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult to watch, especially for Nashan Brown. His dogs were the ones seen in the video being kicked by his partner.

“I’m the victim of the situation, I was at work, I didn’t know what was going on, I walked into this,” he told NBC New York in an exclusive interview.

Brown is still trying to wrap his head around what happened and why, as well as why his dogs have been taken by investigators.

“Do I understand why people are upset? Yes. Do it look like it was excessive? Yes. Is he that type of individual? He’s really not,” Brown said.

The Riverdale resident said he was at work while his boyfriend was dog-sitting, and one got loose on a walk. There was a mad scramble to save the dog as a neighbor started yelling, and then the boyfriend stepped into the elevator with the dogs.

“Do I feel like he meant any of that? No. Do I feel like he’s sorry and he’s hurting right now? Yes,” said Brown. “I was crying yesterday. He asked me, ‘I’ll just leave out your life. If you don’t want me here, just say that’ … He’s really, really remorseful and that’s what social media don’t see.”

Despite his apparent remorse, the NYPD still sees it as a crime. The boyfriend has been arrested and is facing charges that will be determined during a court date set for April 27.

Meanwhile, Brown now has his own legal drama. He said that investigators came with a warrant on Monday and took all three dogs.

“I wasn’t the individual that you said abused the dogs, you gave me my dogs back and then you come back three days later and take my dogs,” he said.

Brown also claims he’s is being unfairly judged and his privacy has been violated after someone leaked the video to social media along with his address.

“I have no dogs, I have no privacy. I’m getting no respect. I’m getting no help from anyone,” said Brown.

Rescuers called it one of the most heartbreaking things they’ve ever seen, as 14 cats were found on the other side of a chain-link fence on 102nd Street in Howard Beach. Each one of the felines was dead, and images of the animals were so disturbing that NBC New York is blurring the images of what was discovered.

“The little baby that was hanging was right here,” said Meagan Licari of Puppy Kitty New York City, who was called to check out the scene over the weekend. “It’s head was kind of stuck in the branches. That’s why I think people were throwing them over and that one just didn’t make it.”

animals Mar 2

Multiple Cats Found With Horrific Injuries in NYC May Have Been Tortured, Rescuers Say

New York Apr 29, 2022

NY Veterinarian Accused of Animal Abuse, Seen In Photos Choking and Hitting Pets

Her theory is someone was throwing cats over the fence, but what actually happened is a mystery. Licari called the police and the ASPCA, and both are now investigating.

The cats were different ages, according to Licari, different breeds and appeared to be in different states of decomposition.

“This is just what we found — who knows if they have another spot, how they’re getting these cats, what they’re doing to them,” Licari said. “It’s one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen, especially little innocent babies. I don’t know how you do something like that. These are tiny innocent little things, just to see them thrown out like garbage is sad.”

Stunned neighbors are also trying to help.

“We were trying to figure it out. Nobody seen anything. I even tried to look at my cameras at night … it’s hard to see that far up the block,” said neighbor Dominick DeVito.

The ASPCA will performing necropsies on all 14 cats to determine how they died. Licari is hoping that will reveal crucial information that will help police put an end to what has been happening.

It’s the second gruesome case of animal abuse and cruelty in Queens in less than a week. Stray cats have been turning up with horrific and life-threatening injuries in Richmond Hill, and rescuers said the felines may have been tortured.

One of the tiny cats is a stray usually seen on 102nd Avenue. At the end of February, local rescuers noticed the animal’s leg shaking and paw bleeding while on the sidewalk one night. A closer look revealed all four paws had devastating injuries — some of them so severe the bones were completely exposed.

Things got even more disturbing and mysterious when two more cats were discovered with identical injuries — a huge red flag that showed the injuries were no accident.

Licari said at the time that she reached out to police and she’s been in touch with a detective. So far, no leads, but the veterinarian treating the cats believes they suffered chemical burns.

One of the cats brought to the anima hospital could not be saved.

One of the tiny cats is a stray usually seen on 102nd Avenue in Richmond Hill. At the end of February, local rescuers noticed the animal’s leg shaking and paw bleeding while on the sidewalk one night.

A closer look revealed all four paws had devastating injuries — some of them so severe the bones were completely exposed.

New York Apr 29, 2022

NY Veterinarian Accused of Animal Abuse, Seen In Photos Choking and Hitting Pets

prospect park Feb 22

What Item Was Found Inside NYC Alligator, and Why It Can't Yet Be Removed

animals Jan 27

Dog Reunited With Owner Who Had to Give Her Up Due to Homelessness

“We’re like — maybe she got stuck in something, maybe it was like a crushing injury. We just had her transported to the hospital, where she still is,” said Meagan Licari, of Puppy Kitty NYC.

But then things got even more disturbing and mysterious. Two more cats were discovered with identical injuries — a huge red flag that showed the injuries were no accident. Images of the injuries were so graphic, News 4 has chosen to blur them.

“Oh my God, what did they go through? How did this happen? Their pain, because you could see it in their face…and they’re shaking. It was horrible,” Licari said. “It’s just too much of a coincidence that they would all have the same injury.”

Licari said she reached out to police and she’s been in touch with a detective. So far, no leads, but the veterinarian treating the cats believes they suffered chemical burns.

“I’m worried about abuse. I don’t know if it’s against the cats directly or if someone’s throwing chemicals to deter all animals,” said Licari.

All three cats were taken to Long Island Veterinary Specialists Hospital, their paws bandaged up. But Licari said the second cat they found, Ruby, couldn’t be saved. The feline’s body was sent to a lab for further testing.

“My vet said the only way she would be OK is if we amputated all four limbs — which is not really a quality of life for a four-legged animal,” she said.

Licari’s group is fighting to save the others, but the bills are piling up. The hospital bill for one of the rescued cat’s is already at $7,000.

“I agreed to take these cats and save their lives, and I’m gonna do everything that I can. They deserve that chance after what they went through,” said Licari.

She fears they may never find out who did this or why.

More than two dozen cats (26 in all) were rescued from the home in Islip, living in filth and covered in feces, according to the police commissioner, with little food and no water. The felines were starving and dehydrated when first responders went to the home Tuesday night.

“Me, being the owner of a cat myself, I’m disgusted by this case and so glad we were able to rescue those cats,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.

Animal cruelty Oct 1, 2021

20 Dogs Rescued from Disturbing Animal Hoarding Situation in Brooklyn: Police

Monmouth County Jul 21, 2020

Dozens of Pooches, Including Pregnant Dogs, Rescued From NJ Hoarding Nightmare

Some looked frightened as they were taken out from the home, and others required medical attention for ailments they were suffering from their days in the house — which has since been condemned.

Gary and Daniel Verga, the father and adult son who lived at the home, are now facing multiple counts of animal cruelty.

An EMS crew first discovered the hoarding conditions during a visit to the house back in November. But it wasn’t until a contractor arrived a month later that police and prosecutors learned of the alleged animal abuse.

“I’m here 28 years and that house doesn’t get better. It gets worse,” said neighbor Neil Capolongo. “I’m surprised it’s still standing to be honest with you.”

Neighbors said the home has long been an eyesore in this neighborhood.

“It’s been like this for years, for years, years, years years. We thought it was a hoarder house,” said neighbor Stephen Falk. “Even my wife would walk the dog and she would say, ‘I get a strong smell of urine when I pass the house.'”

Falk’s assessment was confirmed by police, who found the hoarder house filled floor to ceiling with garbage. All the cats were kept on the second floor, with “26 cats locked in 7 cages,” according to Harrison, who described the overcrowding conditions.

It was not immediately clear what would happen to all the rescued cats. The father and son arrested are scheduled to face a judge Thursday.

“Oh I’m heartbroken. Making me sick to my stomach. I wish I would have know. I would have said something sooner,” said Falk.

A 44-year-old Holbrook man was charged after he kicked his girlfriend’s 11-year-old dog. Scott Walker didn’t talk to reporters and at times tried to hide behind papers as he left court on Thursday.

The investigation began after the dog, named Jäger, was taken to a veterinarian. Prosecutors said that Walker told police the dog had fallen down the stairs.

But Jäger died while under the care of doctors, and a necropsy determined that he had been abused.

Queens Jan 5

Cheese the Cat Dies After Shot by Arrow in Queens; Police Search for Culprit

New York Apr 29, 2022

NY Veterinarian Accused of Animal Abuse, Seen In Photos Choking and Hitting Pets

“The result of that confirmed that this person kicked the dog and the severity of the injury led to the dog’s death,” said Roy Gross, of the Suffolk County SPCA.

Prosecutors asked for an order of protection because they alleged Walked also threatened to hurt his girlfriend if she called police. Walker was given supervised release. He had to agree to not contact his girlfriend and to not be around any animals.

The judge in the case also shared his anger with Walker, telling him in court, “God help you if I was the sentencing judge.”

Residents who live in the same complex as Walker were disgusted to hear about the allegations.

“What is there to say? Not much, the guy belongs in jail,” said local resident Joe Spain.

“I am sick to my stomach. I have no children, I have dogs. I can’t even believe it,” said Theresa Krautman, another resident.

A 27-year-old man from Philadelphia is facing animal cruelty charges stemming from a traffic stop in New York City in which eight malnourished dogs were found in his car — seven of which were discovered inside a lidded bin, the local district attorney said.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday that Ravon Service was charged with torturing and failing to provide food and drink to animals in connection with a Rego Park police stop Saturday.

Service was arraigned on eight counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal; eight counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance; seven counts of carrying animals in a cruel manner and traffic violations.

According to the charges, on Nov. 26, at about 4 p.m., Service was stopped by a cop near the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Furmanville Avenue for having a loud engine exhaust on the 2001 Lexus he was driving. The police officer observed a large dog in the back seat of the vehicle who appeared “emaciated and showed protruding bones on its ribs, hips, and back areas,” according to the district attorney’s office.

Upon a further look, police found in the backseat of the car seven puppies in a plastic storage bin with the lid that did not provide sufficient air supply and did not contain food or water.

The animals were taken to a local veterinary hospital where the adult female dog was treated for malnourishment and the seven puppies were treated for diarrhea symptoms.

Service is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 10. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.

Attorney information for Service was not immediately known.

“Thankfully, these voiceless, defenseless victims have been rescued from their miserable circumstances,” Katz said. “Animal cruelty is unacceptable and illegal and we will hold abusers accountable.”

Animal Services will be pursuing animal cruelty charges against a man who is suspected of throwing the dog over a barbed wire security fence located atop a hill near Flossie Way and Pourroy Road.

The name associated with the dog’s microchip is 30-year-old Robert Ruiz Jr.

“We are sure that the man in the video is the owner of the dog. It’s just shocking to see this act,” Officer Michael McGee said.

The dog is an 8-year-old pit bull named “KO,” was found dehydrated but not seriously injured by maintenance workers, authorities said.

“It is a small miracle that the dog did not sustain serious injuries from the barbed wire or from falling that high,” McGee said.

The dog was inside the fence for less than two hours, according to McGee. “KO” was taken to the Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley.

According to authorities, the incident occurred on Dec. 15 in the Winchester area.

The dog was microchipped and that’s how officers were able to find information on a Temecula man associated with the chip. But apparently, he no longer resided there, and the phone number included in the chip did not allow receiving calls.  

“We are now moving forward with the warrant search because this person must be held accountable for such a horrific act of willful neglect,” said Josh Sisler, the Animal Services commandant.

The veterinary staff treated the dog’s right eye for a mucoid discharge. Its left eye also had discharge, but it was less severe than its right eye.

The workers told Officer McGee that the dog was very thirsty. They gave the dog three bottles of water before McGee’s arrival.

The shelter has changed KO’s name to Ken, and he is now available for adoption or transfer to a county partner rescue organization.

An anonymous complaint first alerted police to the home off Arrowhead Park Drive in Brick Township Friday evening. Two patrol officers responded to the home around 7:30 p.m. and met with the homeowners outside to discuss the complaint, police said.

From the driveway of the house, the officers said they could smell a “strong” odor and heard the sounds of dogs barking. With the permission of the couple, the department said the cops entered the home and found stacks of animal crates with dogs and cats inside.

The unsanitary conditions of the residence prompted the officers to step back outside and call in assistance from a hazmat team. Police said they initially estimated some 30 animals were being kept inside the home.

Emergency response teams arrived and began inspecting the conditions. Once inside, the teams found the house was “full of animal waste and the animals were living in horrible and inhumane conditions,” according to police.

Two of the dogs boarded had died.

“We’ve been calling about this for months,” neighbor Sharon Beaton told News 4.

Brick police said they came to the home in 2019 and 2020 after previous complaints, but saw no indication action was needed.

“Occasionally I’d smell something,” one neighbor said. “But never suspected more than a hundred animals inside. Never suspected more than 10.”

Further investigation of the home suggested the actual animal count exceeded 100, prompting a massive response from agencies throughout central New Jersey, police said.

There were a total of 135 dogs and 45 cats removed from the Brick Township home, police said. The recovery process took responders nearly 10 hours to complete, working the teams into the early morning hours Saturday.

At least one neighbor said the couple would try to place dogs.

“I would describe them as animal loves. They did all of the work they did for the good of the animals,” neighbor Ivy Lirn said.

But Lirn thinks it got out of hand — so much so that several neighbors said that the two women would live in their cars/

“We’ve come to understand they were living in their vehicles because the conditions in the house were so bad,” neighbor Matt Hunt told News 4.

At least eight of the animals required emergency attention by veterinarians, while the rest were distributed to various animal shelters.

Police said Aimee Lonczak and Michele Nycz, the residents of the home, were arrested for animal cruelty and child endangerment. Lonczak’s 16-year-old daughter also lived at the home, police said.

Additional charges may be filed against the couple.

Nicholas Winter, 35 and of Asbury Park, was charged with third degree animal cruelty resulting in death and abandoning a domestic animal (a disorderly persons offense), Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Wednesday.

If convicted on the more serious charge against him, he would face up to five years in state prison.

Attorney information for Winter was not immediately known.

A joint investigation by the Asbury Park Police Department and the Monmouth County SPCA found that after an argument, Winter allegedly texted his girlfriend repeatedly and threatened the welfare of her dogs while she was at work.

Prosecutors say that shortly before 4 a.m. on June 4, the Asbury Park Police Department responded to a residence on Locust Drive and found a dead 12-year-old male dog named Bentley.

Sophia, the girlfriend’s other dog, a 14-year-old female, was initially reported missing, but found several hours later.

A subsequent necropsy performed on Bentley determined that the dog died from blunt-force trauma.

“We take animal cruelty cases extremely seriously in Monmouth County. Taking the life of a defenseless animal as a means to emotionally traumatize its owner is reprehensible and tragic,” Linskey said. “We thank the joint efforts of the Asbury Park Police Department and the SPCA for their work on this case and their compassion for the canine victim in this case.”

The woman now faces six misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty charges, according to the Niagara Gazette.

Authorities said they chased down 57 rabbits Thursday from the home near Niagara Falls.

Police were summoned to the house when the homeowner paid a visit.

In a social media post, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it previously removed some of the animals from the same home in April.

“They tried to help the owner get the numbers of animals down to a manageable level. At the time, 30 rabbits were moved out of the house and 10 remained. Sadly, it seems they were moved temporarily only to be brought right back to the residence after the inspection,” SPCA officials said.

Authorities said the bunnies were found in every room of the house, including the basement. Some were emaciated and in filthy condition.

The SPCA said foster homes will be found for the abandoned animals.

Police said two more people have been arrested amid ongoing investigations at the business and the owner is now facing additional charges.

In late April 2022, the State of Connecticut Dept. of Agriculture-State Animal Control Unit, the Connecticut State Police and the Stratford Police Department contacted Naugatuck Police Department about a joint investigation involving the allegations of the storage of illegal explosives, guns and possible animal cruelty at Black Rock Canines on Hunters Mountain Road.

David Rivera Jr. is a sworn New Canaan police officer and owns Black Rock Canines. Police said the business is a training facility for potential military and police canines as well as for privately owned canines by people seeking such training.

Naugatuck police said they initiated their own investigation and through interviews, it is believed that numerous canines of all ages and breeds have been abused and injured during their time at Black Rock Canines.

Investigators said they believe at least 10 canines were killed by employees of the business. The dogs are believed to have been shot and killed and then buried on the property by the owner or operators of the business. State police said they have found the remains of four dogs there.

New Canaan police said Rivera has been placed on leave and is currently prohibited from serving as an active duty officer. The police department said he’ll remain on leave pending the results of the criminal case and the internal investigation.

A general manager of the business, identified as Daniel Luna, is accused of abusing numerous dogs and puppies during his employment, police said. He is accused of shooting dogs that were no longer viable to the business and is also accused of leaving puppies outside in harsh weather elements leading to their death.

Luna turned himself into police on Monday and is facing charges including cruelty to animals, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, reckless endangerment, unlawful euthanization, conspiracy to commit unlawful euthanization and identity theft. He was held on a $225,000 bond and was arraigned on Tuesday.

According to police, during their investigation, they learned Rivera Jr. had directed employees to move explosives from Mountain Road to the Naugatuck Event Center for training. The explosives were allegedly stored in Tupperware containers and were being handled by employees without training or proper permits.

State police said the explosives were obviously obtained illegally and there were several pounds of explosives found.

Rivera Jr., turned himself in to Naugatuck Police Department on Monday and was charged with reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals and conspiracy to commit euthanization of a canine. He was released after posting a $150,000 bond and is due in court on May 18. These charges are in addition to the charges he was arrested on last week.

Authorities said Rivera Jr.’s father, David Rivera Sr. was also arrested after police were called to the business on Friday for a report of employees being threatened.

Rivera Sr. is accused of threatening a current employee and a former employee with a knife. He was charged with threatening and breach of peace and was released after posting a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 11.

On Tuesday, police said they obtained an additional warrant, which allowed state and local animal control officers to remove the remaining 31 dogs at Black Rock Canines. The dogs have been placed in a shelter and will remain there as the investigation continues.

Rivera Jr. was previously arrested after explosives were found at his Stratford home, according to the Fairfield state’s attorney and he has been placed on leave from the police department.

Last Thursday, Rivera Jr. was charged with illegal possession of explosives, illegal storage of explosives, illegal possession of an assault weapon, illegal storage of a firearm and three counts of improper transfer of a firearm, according to Fairfield state’s attorney Joseph Corradino.

During a search of Rivera Jr.’s home, police found high explosives improperly stored, Corradino said, citing an arrest warrant affidavit.

The state’s attorney said Rivera Jr. is alleged to have used the explosives in his business training working dogs for various organizations and the warrant states that he had no permit for the possession of the high explosives and also had an assault weapon.

Police said they believe the business opened in 2019, but people have come forward in the last several weeks, which is what prompted the investigations.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Emily Meattey said it happened last week after her dog got out and attacked her neighbor’s duck.

Her 4-year-old daughter accidentally let the family’s two dogs out. After wandering into a neighbor’s backyard, one of the dogs, Grizzly, came home, but her Siberian husky, Zoe, never returned. When Meattey went looking for Zoe, she says she heard a gunshot.

“I was right in front of their house when I heard the gun go off. I heard a squeal-type yelp, and that was it,” Meattey said.

Meattey said, at first, the homeowner denied having anything to do with it.

“That was the hardest part. We continued to look when they knew Zoe was already dead,” Meattey said.

NBC10 Boston asked the homeowner Tuesday for his version of what happened. “It is under investigation,” he shouted. He had no comment when asked if he shot or buried the dog.

Police in Salisbury said Wednesday that Meattey’s neighbor, identified as 28-year-old Jacob Dow, had been arrested on charges including maliciously killing a domestic animal and misleading a police investigation, as well as four firearm charges and two counts of animal cruelty.

Authorities also charged 29-year-old Donald Dow, who lives at the same address in Salisbury as Jacob, with firearm violations and a count of misleading a police investigation. Seventy-seven-year-old George Dow of Seabrook, New Hampshire, is also charged with misleading a police investigation.

A few days after the shooting, Meattey says she found out Zoe had attacked one of the homeowner’s ducks. She said her dog had wandered into the yard once before, and she was warned to make sure it did not happen again.

She said that even if Jacob Dow was acting within his rights when the shot was fired, what happened after is something she will never understand.

“They just decided to take it into their own hands and bury her like she wasn’t somebody’s pet, like she didn’t belong to anybody. And she belonged to us,” Meattey said.

Jacob Dow was arrested at his home, and the other two men were issued summons. All three are expected to be arraigned Thursday at Newburyport District Court. It was not immediately clear if they had attorneys.