UPDATE: 75 Farm Animals Dead, 200 Rescued From Home Where Alleged Child Endangerment Occurred

Seventy-five farm animals were found dead and more than 200 have been rescued from a home where a couple was arrested and charged with child endangerment, authorities said.

The couple allegedly allowed two children in their care to be exposed to decomposing animals, authorities said.

According to Barnyard Sanctuary in Knowlton Township, in conjunction with the SPCA, 136 farm animals were taken from the property between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, April 1 and 2.

That figure has now eclipsed 200 animals, according to the SPCA’s Facebook page, and the rescue effort continues five days later.

In a statement released late Tuesday night, a captain with the SPCA said on social media:

To All: The number of animals seized and signed over in the NJSPCA Independece case now exceeds 200+. Number of dead animals still waiting to be confirmed. Animal Cruelty charges are absolutely pending once this investigation is completed. Overwhelming number of animals in deplorable conditions in these two locations (Independence and Lafayette) Still working on capturing some of the remaining animals but removed so far were..... pigs, baby goats, calves, emu, pheasants, chickens, ducks, geese, partridge, one cockateil, chinchilla, hamsters, guinea pigs, baby chicks,turkeys, cows and a snake. The majority of the animals are being cared for by the Barnyard Sanctuary in Columbia and Skylands Animal Sanctuary in Wantage. Donations to the NJSPCA ( www.njspca.org ) , the Barnyard Sanctuary and the Skyland’s Animal Sanctuary are greatly appreciated. Thanks to Mike’s Feed Farm in Riverdale for the amazing donations of feed. Many of these animals were emaciated and suffering. The Prosecutor’s Office press release today identified the defendants and also mentioned the fact that there were children living in these conditions and that DYFUS was also involved. One horrific case for all involved and another case that all of our involved Officers will never be able to forget. These images are disturbing and hard to deal with even for myself and our experienced officers.

According to ABC’s 7online.com, at the time of the NJSPCA’s arrival to the home, 75 animals were found dead at the Independence and Lafayette locations.

The animal sanctuary explained on its Facebook page what unfolded when it was approached by the New Jersey chapter of the SPCA that night, stating:

“Last Wednesday night (actually 2 am Thursday morning), we took 3 of 4 baby infant goats that were being kept on the premises. Baby #1 was already dead and decomposing on the floor in the house. Baby #2 was semi unconscious and died a few hours later. We are battling to keep number 3 (Ansel) alive. Number 4 (Petal) is doing great.

“These babies were all only a few days old and still had their umbilical cords attached. They had not received their mom’s colostrum and were supposedly being fed whole cow’s milk from the grocery store, but due to their weak, dehydrated, starved condition, we find this highly doubtful. Ansel (the little black LaMancha) is in the hospital on an IV for fluids and is being tube fed. He is very sick and may not survive. Petal (the little white Saanen) rebounded very well and should be ok.”

Independence Township police and local animal control officers were called to a neighborhood on Russling Road in Hackettstown on April 1 for a report of five loose pigs, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke announced Tuesday.

When authorities arrived they located the pigs and brought them to the owners, Chad Lloyd, 36, and Kimberly Brown, 22.

After arriving at the home, however, police found two children – ages 10 and 3 – living in the home where numerous animals in “various states of decomposition” were also located, Burke said.

In addition to the grisly scene of decaying animal bodies, an investigation revealed the home was not supplying enough heat or hot water for the children, Burke said, leading to two charges each of endangering the welfare of a child for both Lloyd and Brown, as the children are legally in their custody.

Burke would not say what the relationship is between the children and the adults.

The Barnyard Sanctuary, which is located in Columbia, New Jersey, is seeking assistance by way of donations to care for the living animals rescued from the property, as well as adoptive homes.

Donations and information about adopting animals through the Barnyard Sanctuary can be found here.

Photo Courtesy Barnyard Sanctuary’s Facebook page.

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