Two Brick women were sentenced to 364 days in the Ocean County Jail after pleading guilty in June to two counts of animal cruelty for hoarding more than 170 dogs and cats in deplorable conditions.
Michele Nycz, 60, and Aimee Lonczak, 51, were also banned for life from owning or working with animals by Judge Guy P. Ryan of Superior Court in Toms River, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.
The four years of probation to which both were sentenced and which are part of their prison sentences also include community service.
Ryan imposed an additional 364-day prison sentence on Lonczak for child neglect. Her 16-year-old daughter also lived in the house in “filth and squalor” and was taunted at school because “she smelled of urine and feces,” authorities said.
Lonczak’s two prison sentences will be served concurrently.
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The animal cruelty investigation began on December 2, 2022.
Brick Police went to the women’s home on Arrowhead Park Drive after receiving an anonymous tip that the women were operating a puppy breeding operation on the property.
While speaking with Lonczak and Nycz in their driveway, officers noticed a strong odor coming from the house and heard barking inside.
When officers were allowed to enter the house, they were confronted with an overwhelming stench and extremely unsanitary conditions. Animal cages containing dogs and cats were stacked on top of each other.
The officers left the house and called for a response team. Rescue workers in special equipment recovered 129 dogs and 43 cats as well as the remains of two dead dogs.
Lonczak and Nycz were arrested at the scene, taken to the county jail and later released.
The case against her was prosecuted by Ocean County Assistant District Attorney Victoria Veni.
Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or [email protected].
