Woman Charged After 44 Deceased Dogs Found in Home; 130 Dogs Rescued: Police

A New Jersey woman was arrested for keeping more than 100 dogs in inhumane conditions at her home in Shamong Township.

Donna Roberts, 65, was charged with animal cruelty, said the New Jersey State Police on Facebook on Nov. 14.

A New Jersey woman was arrested for keeping more than 100 dogs in inhumane conditions at her home in Shamong Township. (NJ State Police)

A day before, detectives assisted the Burlington County Health Department for an inspection.

“When detectives arrived, they observed evidence of animal cruelty inflicted upon various breeds of dogs on the property. The odor of animal feces and ammonia permeated the inside of the residence, which caused several of the responders to experience dizziness and nausea,” said New Jersey police.

Detectives then discovered about 130 living dogs and 44 dead dogs. The deceased animals were allegedly packed in plastic bags and were stored in freezers in her home, they said.

Four of the dogs were in critical condition were transported to an emergency veterinary clinic while the remaining dogs were evaluated and treated, said police.

“Although the circumstances surrounding the demise of the 44 dogs that were discovered inside plastic bags in freezers remain under investigation, the deplorable and inhumane living conditions the rescued dogs were forced to endure is tragic,” stated Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police.

He added: “Troopers take an oath to protect and safeguard life, including the lives and well-being of pets, which can be vulnerable to abuse.”

Scott Coffina, the Burlington County prosecutor, said there were concerns about animals on her property.

“We are appalled by the horrendous conditions these dogs were subjected to, and as a result I authorized charges against the property owner, Donna Roberts,” he said.

Roberts was charged with animal cruelty and was released ahead of a court date.

‘I didn’t do anything wrong’

Roberts told the New York Post that some of the dead animals were stillborn puppies. She forgot about the dead animals after placing them in bags in the freezer seven years ago.

“I forgot all about them, they were in the cellar,” Roberts said. “They were in a freezer, and that’s what breeders do when dogs die. I forgot all about them. They were born dead and I didn’t kill them. They’re making a big deal out of nothing.” She added that the dogs were supposed to be sent to Alabama for an autopsy, but her boyfriend died, and it slipped her mind.

Roberts explained that she raised Labradors, Boston terrier mixes, poodles, boxers, and others.

She’s is planning to fight the charges. “Oh most certainly,” she told the paper. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

She also said her home was inspected in the past after Shamong Township restricted the number of dogs at any private residence to 14.