Woman Barred For Life From Owning Pets After Hoarding Dozens

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A Plainfield woman has been sentenced to five years of probation and will be barred for life from ever again owning, breeding, or selling pets in New Jersey after she admitted to neglect that led to the deaths of multiple puppies in her care, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced.

Suzie Bourdouvales, 38, was also ordered to pay more than $30,000 in restitution to numerous victims, undergo a psychological evaluation, comply with all ordered treatment, and submit to periodic monitoring.

• See Related: Plainfield Woman Hoards Dozens Of Sick Puppies, Some Die: Police

A total of 19 dogs of varying ages and medical states, living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions were found on March 8 during a search of her home on the 600 block of East Front Street in Plainfield. The search occurred following a year-long investigation led by SPCA Lt. Frank D. Rizzo II and Investigator Denyel Cusimano, in partnership with the Prosecutor's Office.

It was found Bourdouvales had hoarded dozens of sick puppies, many of which died due to a lack of adequate medical care, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Cronin, who prosecuted the case.

Despite this, she bred the puppies for sale to customers across the state, with some animals even dying after being sold despite their new owners' efforts to save them, according to Cronin.

The dogs seized on the day of the search warrant’s execution were placed into the care of the Cranford-based Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption and Traveling Paws Animal Rescue, as well as Brendan’s Meadows Rescue in Mountainside.

Bourdouvales had earlier pleaded guilty to selling sick animals out of her car in Plainfield in 2015, after which she was ordered to pay nearly $20,000 in restitution.

Anyone with information about similar incidents is urged to contact their local police department and request to speak with the assigned humane law enforcement officer.

(Images via Union County Prosecutor's Office)

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