Over 100 Diseased, Dead Animals Found At Mercer County Farm: Cops

The owner of a local farm has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty, after multiple animals were found to be diseased, deceased and covered in feces at his farm, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced on Monday. Police were also tasked with wrangling a 500-pound pig and returning it to the farm during the investigation.

Henry Guzikowski Jr., 54, of Yardley, Pa., was arrested by the newly formed Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLEU). Earlier this month, Hamilton Township officials contacted HLEU about conditions on the 14-acre farm on Uncle Pete’s Road. Police had received numerous complaints from residents and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

HLEU executed a search warrant at the farm on Aug. 21. According to the prosecutor’s office:

Detectives discovered 38 runner ducks in one duck coop, two of which were deceased. The ducks were completely covered in approximately six inches of feces.

Twelve chickens were found inside the abandoned house. Five were dead and another died while officials were securing the property.

In the chicken coop, detectives located approximately 54 chickens, one of which was deceased. All appeared to be infected with disease and one had severe growths on its feet.

Nine pigs covered in feces were discovered in a garage-like structure on the property.

During the investigation, a 500-pound pig escaped the farm and began roaming a nearby neighborhood. Detectives lured the hog back with food, and they secured it in a pen.

Guzikowski was arrested and charged with multiple counts of third- and fourth-degree animal cruelty. He was released pending future court proceedings and served with a court order prohibiting him from adding or removing any animals at the location for 30 days.

Mercer County has a historic preservation easement for the house on the property that required Guzikowski to maintain, preserve and protect the property’s historic character, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The prosecutor’s office has advised the county of the situation on the farm so that any potential violations may be investigated.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture tested all of the ducks and chickens for various diseases. Homes are still needed for many of the rescued animals. Anyone interested in fostering or adopting should contact Sgt. Eric Hastings of the prosecutor’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit at ehastings@mercercounty.org or 609-989-6063.

HLEU was assisted in its investigation by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Hamilton Township Animal Control, Hamilton Township Building Inspections, Hamilton Township Public Works and the Hamilton Township Police Division.

The attached image of Henry Guzikowski Jr. was provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office