Brick Pair Officially Charged With Animal Cruelty
"Sammy'' responding to treatment at vet hospital
The Brick Township couple who brought a nearly dead dog covered in its own excrement to a Tinton Falls animal shelter claiming it was found on the side of a road have officially been charged with three counts of animal cruelty, authorities said Monday.
Keith E. Morgan, 56, and Shauna Ewing Morgan, 43, of Sawmill Road, were each charged with abandonment, failure to provide sustenance and causing unnecessary suffering, said Charles Webster, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesman.
Additionally, Keith Morgan is charged with interfering with an investigation, Webster said.
The charges, disorderly persons offenses, carry a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, Webster said.
An investigation is ongoing, Webster said. Charges may be added.
The Morgans were charged and released, Webster said. No bail was required.
Meanwhile, the aged Cocker Spaniel taken in by the Associated Humane Society is recovering at the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital and responding well to treatment. He has begun to eat on his own, hospital staff has said.
"We keep telling Sammy how the world is rooting for him and he continues to gain strength," staff said.
Keith Morgan walked into the Tinton Falls AHS building with the nearly deceased dog claiming that he had found the animal in a tied garbage bag on the side of Belmar Boulevard in Wall.
But his story didn't add up, Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer Victor “Buddy” Amato of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has said.
Amato investigated the claim and found that the dog, named Samurai, was registered to the Morgans in 2007.
Investigators now believe the dog is about 13- to 14-years old, Webster said.
Rob
9:39 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
They both need to be put in a bag . The judge if he has a heart should give both of them the max sentence . There should be a death penalty for people like this. Can you imagine if they can do this to a poor old dog what they would do to people.Hange them I say.
parkway
9:49 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Yes there should Rob they have had this dog for years and when it is older and needs more loving care they treat it like a piece of dirt. I hope they get the max possible and the animal lovers in jail here of this and take care of them.
William J Moss
11:53 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Cant even imagine what that dog has gone through since 2007. poor animal . Hope the humane Society finds it a good home to finish out it's life. Fine them. and give a court order . No more animals.
Kathleen Boffice
12:07 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
They're sayn more charges may n added! I hope so, what's to stop them from doing it again, not much! Thank God Poor Sammy is doing better every day, these animal abusers need Much stricter punishment! We have to b the voice for these poor innocent animals!!
john
5:55 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
judge doesn't need a heart , he needs a set of big kahonies , prosecute to the fullest extend of the law.....
no doubt the 2 owners will come up with a sob story and get off, either that or get 6 months of free accomodations ....
Amy Ulness
12:40 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Whoever lives in this area must be sure this heinous, monstrous, vile couple is forever shunned in society and lives the rest of their lives in shame.
Lisa
4:12 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Agreed! How can we get their photos out there for the public to see?
vickie
8:54 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Complete cowards, not to mention TRASH!
Toby Fairview
8:21 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
I saw "Bear Holly" make a comment linking these monsters to my beloved Eagles... This is no time to make sick jokes and what kind of name is Bear Holly anyways...
No Patience
11:56 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
id love to trap these 2 in a house fire! and to Rob's first comment, you're 100% right, death penalty to animal and child abusers! the thing is tho, they would probably never do anything to a human because it is quite clear they are cowards, they won't pick on someone their own size, they choose a poor defenseless animal who only wants to be loved! we need stricter animal cruelty sentences! even the max is a joke when it comes to cases like this. nothing makes me angrier than an animal abuser!
Dakota
3:43 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
An eye for an eye.
foggyworld
11:06 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
For starters, every dog licensing town in NJ ought to be provided with the complete transcript of the trial and a request that these two never again be given a license to own any animal at all.