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Article Archive > Middletown man fined $500 over cruelty to dog Middletown man fined $500 over cruelty to dog MIDDLETOWN - A Belford man was fined $500 today after he pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge in municipal court. Edward Schule tol Municipal Court Judge Micthael D. Pugliese that he failed to obtain proper veterinary care for his 9-year-old Bassett Hound. A similar charge against his wife, Lynda, was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. In addition, Schult was ordered to stop breeding dogs at his residence at 93 Palmer St., said Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief of police for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which had filed the charges against Schult. Pugliese told Schult he could keep the remaining 10 dogs he has at his residence, but that he is prohibited from doing any animal breeding there. "They all have to be spayed and neutered, according to the judge, and the SPCA has been told to conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance," Amato said. The SPCA removed 20 Shih Tzu puppies from the Schult residence on Sept. 5, Amato said. Those pups were all unkempt and required substantial grooming, Amato said. All have since been adopted, he added. The 9-year-old basset hound was brought to Home Veterinary Service in Middletown, emaciated and suffering from ulcerated tumors and maggot infestation, Amato said. "This dog was basically starving and nearly a skeleton,"' he added. "It was clear the dog had not been cared for at all." The dog had to be euthanized, Amato said. Edward Schult initially disputed the charges. He said the basset hound had always been properly fed and given water. "I didn't know her condition was as bad as it was," he said at the time he was charged. "She had lost a lot of weight in the last two days. That's why I took her to the vet." Schult said the Shih Tzus removed from his home were all well cared for. He confirmed the voluntary surrender of the 20 animals to the SPCA. For the SPCA agents, the case had a sense of deja vu, Amato said. "Last November, this couple had also made a voluntary surrender of 20 Shih Tzus," Amato said. "At that time they said they would stop breeding the dogs at their home. Apparently that didn't happen."
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