20 Dogs In Deplorable Conditions Found In Shamong Home: Police

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ - A South Jersey woman has been charged with animal cruelty after police discovered 20 dogs living in deplorable and inhumane conditions, New Jersey State Police announced on Wednesday.

Five of the dogs were in critical condition, and one of them ultimately died as a result of illness, police said.

Marissa Corbett, 39, of Shamong, was arrested after an inspection of her home by detectives from Red Lion Station and the Burlington County Health Department on Tuesday, April 16.

Detectives determined that the dogs had been abused, and the odor of animal feces and ammonia permeated the inside of the home, police said. This caused several first responders to experience dizziness and nausea.

Detectives discovered that Corbett was maintaining a boarding and training business and had 20 living dogs of various breeds, police said.

The five dogs that were found to be in critical condition were taken to an emergency veterinary clinic. The four that survived were transported to the Burlington County Shelter to be evaluated and treated.

Colbert was charged with one count of third degree animal cruelty, 19 counts of fourth degree animal cruelty, and 40 counts of disorderly persons offense of animal cruelty. She was released with a pending court date.

It is the second time in the last five months that a Shamong woman has been charged with animal cruelty charges after being found with numerous dogs in her home. Donna Roberts, 65, was charged with animal cruelty in November after 44 dead dogs were found in ziplock bags in her freezers in her home. Another 161 dogs were found to still be alive.

The incident prompted backlash from community members who asked how this could be allowed to happen. When she was first reported, the township didn’t have the ability to send officials into her home. They then changed the law to permit inspections, such as the one in this case that lead to the charges being filed against Corbett.

Read more here: They Thought It Was A Paradise. Then They Heard The Dogs Cry.