Decision On Brick Woman's 'Pet' Dogs Delayed In Hoarding Case

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A request by one of the two women charged in connection with an animal hoarding case in Brick to have some of the dogs returned to her is now scheduled to be heard in March.

Amy J. Lonczak and Michele Nycz were in court Tuesday for a hearing before Superior Court Judge Linda Baxter on their request to get back dogs they say were their personal pets — dogs that were among the 180 dogs and cats removed from uninhabitable conditions at a Brick Township home in December.

Lonczak and Nycz have been charged with animal cruelty and child endangerment in the case, with the latter charge because Lonczak's 16-year-old daughter was living with them at the home, which Nycz owns.

The two women had filed motions on Jan. 10 seeking the return of dogs they say were their personal pets and that they did not surrender them willingly.

On Tuesday, Nycz rescinded her claim to two dogs through her public defender, Andrew Hannwacker.

"She will submit that the dog was surrendered as of Dec. 3," Hannwacker said, referring to one dog that has been in the care of the Ocean County animal facilities' staff. A second dog that Nycz had tried to reclaim apparently was adopted before the Jan. 10 hearing.

Lonczak, through public defender Glenn Kassman, rescinded her claim to one of five dogs she said were her personal pets.

That dog was "never under the control of the state," Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Becker said. He did not elaborate.

Kassman requested an adjournment on the remaining four dogs for Lonczak to further consider it and to consider whether she will fight to regain ownership. Those four dogs are being cared for by the county's animal shelter staff.

"The state contends these dogs were surrendered," Becker said.

The next hearing in the case is set for 11 a.m. on March 14 before Baxter, and is set to include not only Lonczak's request but also an update on the case against both women.

Becker, at their detention hearing on Dec. 8, said the prosecutor's office would be seeking additional charges against both women because of the conditions that existed at home on Dec. 2 and 3, when Brick Township Police responded to a report about a possible puppy mill.

They discovered the home was filled with feces-crusted crates holding dogs and cats, with the crates stacked on top of each other, sometimes zip-tied together. Dogs and cats were covered in feces and urine, and volunteers who assisted with moving the animals out and eventually to safety.

The house was subsequently condemned by Brick Township code enforcement. Outdoor cleanup by the township resulted in a lien of more than $1,800.

More coverage:

• Brick Animal Hoarding Case: Questions And Answers
• 180 Dogs, Cats Removed From Brick Home, 2 Arrested: Police
• Dogs, Cats From Brick 'Puppy Mill' Under Ocean County's Care
• How Rescue Founder Hid Brick Animal Hoarding: Fosters, Adopters Speak
• 'Nightmare': Popcorn Park Officer Shares Hoarder House Experience
• Women Released To Await Trial In Brick Animal Hoarding Case
• Animals From Brick Hoarding Turned Over To Ocean County
• Missing-Pet Pleas Pour In To Police In Brick Hoarding Case
• Collie Taken By Brick Hoarders Reunited With Family
• Bloodhound Found In Brick Hoarding Case Reunited With Tennessee Family