NJ Woman Found With 44 Dogs In Freezers, Pleads Guilty To Animal Cruelty

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — A 68-year-old Shamong woman has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her keeping more than 150 dogs on her property and causing some of the dogs’ deaths, the Burlington County Prosecutor said.

Donna Roberts was originally indicted on eight counts of third-degree animal cruelty in December 2019. In Burlington County Superior Court last month, she pleaded guilty to one count of third degree of causing cruelty to animals, according to the prosecutor. The plea means Roberts accepted responsibility for causing the death of six dogs that were being kept at her property by failing to provide them with proper care, the prosecutor said.

Roberts' plea must be accepted by a U.S. Superior Court judge at a May 13 hearing. If it is, she will spend 90 days in jail, perform 30 days of community service and serve 5 years of probation, the prosecutor said.

In November 2018, authorities found 161 living dogs and 44 dead dogs that were in freezer bags and stored in freezers at Roberts' home. Some of those at the scene said a smell of animal feces and ammonia was present throughout the house, which led some of them to become dizzy and nauseous.

While some dogs were in such bad condition they needed treatment at the scene, others were sent to animal-welfare organizations throughout New Jersey for treatment. These other organizations also oversaw the fostering and adoption of the dogs.

The discovery at Roberts' home stemmed from a then-newly adopted county ordinance concerning the housing of animals. The New Jersey State Police led the investigation, and was helped by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Burlington County Health Department, officials said.