 |
|
Article Archive > Couple charged with cruelty over sick basset hound Couple charged with cruelty over sick basset hound A couple from the Belford section have each been charged with two counts of animal cruelty for failing to provide food and sustenance to an ailing basset hound, authorities said. In addition, on Friday the pair voluntarily surrendered 20 Shih Tzu puppies that investigators described as unkempt to the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The animals all were kept at the couple's residence at 93 Palmer St., police said. Edward and Lynda Schult are slated to answer the animal cruelty charges on Oct. 10 in Middletown Municipal Court, said Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief of police for the Monmouth County SPCA. The nine-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," Amato said. "It was clear the dog had not been cared for at all." The dog had to be euthanized, Amato said. Edward Schult 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. "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 also were well cared for. He confirmed the voluntary surrender of the 20 animals to the SPCA, but said he still has four other dogs at his home. "(The Shih Tzus) are all going to go to good homes now," he said. Amato said the SCPA had cleaned the pups up and that they were ready to be adopted. 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 also agreed that they would stop breeding the dogs at their home. Apparently that didn't happen." Amato said the pups have all been bathed and are healthy. "These are purebred dogs that will be good pets," he said. "We're just hoping we get a good response from people looking to adopt them." Anyone interested in adopting a pup can call the SPCA at (732) 542-5608.
|