552 animal cruelty charges filed in Howell dog hoarding case

The  "extreme hoarding" of 276 dessicated dogs in a deteriorating Howell Township home leads to 552 animal-cruelty charges against the couple who own the dwelling.

Charlene and Joseph Handrik face disorderly-persons charges rather than on indictable ones, following extensive talks between Monmouth investigators and the Monmouth County SPCA.

"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," Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said in prepared comments.

Findings of guilt on all counts would leave the Handriks at risk for significant fines and penalties, authorities said.

After the June 3 discovery, MSPCA and several related agencies set up an improvised "triage" operation outside the house, to vaccinate and otherwise tend the dogs immediately before transport to shelters for more intensive care.

Two hundred seventy-six of the counts concern "inflicting unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal or creature by providing inhumane living conditions." An equal number reflect "failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care to their dogs." It breaks out to one charge in each category for each of the dogs taken from the Bennett Road house.

Authorities said that the Handriks are likely to face additional charges for failing to license and vaccinate the dogs, and that proceedings would take place in Howell Township Municipal Court.

The Prosecutor's Office reminds that charges are allegations, and that defendants are innocent unless and until found guilty.