Dogs Rescued From 'Deplorable Conditions:' Gloucester Twp. Police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gloucester Township police rescued three dogs that were living in what they called “deplorable conditions” at a neighborhood drug house Wednesday morning.

Neighbors had reported that the dogs were running loose and terrorizing the neighborhood because their owner wasn’t controlling them, Gloucester Township police said Thursday morning.

Police showed up at the home on the 100 Block of La Cascata just after 6 a.m. Wednesday morning to execute a search warrant. The dogs were found in an outside shed, police said.

“The dogs were unvaccinated, unregistered, and not provided adequate shelter,” police said. “They were seized by Animal Control at the direction of the Gloucester Township Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer.”

Police said they also found quantities of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the home.
The dog’s owner, 20-year-old Daniel Butler, was arrested and charged with possession of CDS and drug paraphernalia on a criminal summons, as well as several local ordinance violations. Court appearances are pending on both charges, police said.

Immediately following the execution of the search warrant, officers from the Gloucester Township Police Community Relations Bureau went door-to-door to explain the situation to neighbors, as is the police department’s policy.

Gloucester Township police conducted the investigation along with the Gloucester Township Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer (MHLEO).

“The arrest of this individual is another example of restorative Community Policing efforts encouraging residents to take back their community and assist the Gloucester Township Police Department with keeping our community safe,” police said in a statement. “The Gloucester Township Police Department has implemented a number of initiatives and programs to combat the abuse of narcotics. If you know someone who is suffering from addiction, you are encouraged to call the Gloucester Township SAVE Advocate at 856-302-7051 to get help.”

Anyone who has questions or would like to report suspected animal cruelty or neglect should contact the Gloucester Township Police Department at 856-228-4500.