Police, Fire & Courts

Animal Hoarding in Brick: 110 Cats, 3 Dogs Removed From Home Friday

by
Daniel Nee
May 5, 2023

Police and health officials remained at the scene of an animal hoarding case during the late afternoon hours Friday, following the revelation that more than 100 animals were being kept in a small, residential home along Mantoloking Road.

According to police, a call was placed to the department Thursday night reporting the animal hoarding situation playing out at the home at 730 Mantoloking Road. The calls were placed to township police as well as the county health department by neighbors, officials said.

The scene of an animal hoarding scenario at 730 Mantoloking Road, Brick, N.J., May 5, 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Fortunately, according to both police and health officials, the animals seemed to be in good condition. All were brought to one of the two county shelters in either Manahawkin or Jackson Township. The family who was keeping the animals in the home consented to their surrender, the health department said. By Friday afternoon, a stench still wafted through the air outside the light brown-painted home, which was generally unkempt and appeared to be in a poor condition.

The scene of an animal hoarding scenario at 730 Mantoloking Road, Brick, N.J., May 5, 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

“Due to the nature of the incident when police arrived on scene, they requested assistance from Berkeley [Township] HAZMAT as well as Brick Township Fire District No. 1,” said Ptl. Victoria Finelli, a Brick Township Police Department spokeswoman. “Once conditions were determined to be safe, authorities began removing the animals.”

Initially, there were thought to have been 83 animals, but ultimately the count went up as more were located. In all, 110 cats and three dogs were found. None of the animals were deceased.

No charges had been filed by Friday afternoon, though police remained on scene investigating. Additional officers from other agencies were expected to enter the home to further assess the situation.

The scene of an animal hoarding scenario at 730 Mantoloking Road, Brick, N.J., May 5, 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

According to county tax records, the owner of the property resides at a different address, suggesting the home may have been utilized as a rental unit. It was built in 1930 and last changed hands in 2015.

County health officials said the animals are expected to be cleared for adoption after an examination by a veterinarian.

This is Brick’s second animal hoarding case to be uncovered in about six months. In December, more than 180 animals were removed from a home on Arrowhead Park Drive, resulting in charges of both animal cruelty and endangering the welfare of a child who was living in the home. That case is still pending.