Community Corner

Report: Woman Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

The SPCS of Monmouth County will return Monday to remove the rest of the animals, according to a report from the Asbury Park Press.

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported that more than 100 animals have been taken from the home of a township couple.

More than 100 animals were taken from a Howell residence Sunday, and Mercedes Lopez, 56, is  facing charges of animal cruelty, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

According to the press, Chief Victor “Buddy’’ Amato of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Lopez was charged with several counts each of failure to provide sustenance, including grooming and veterinary care, and failure to provide shelter for the more than 200 animals that lived on the property. Mercedes Lopez also allegedly hit a police officer that was trying to arrest her, according to the Press.

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“When we got there, there was one cat literally dying in front of us,” Amato told the Press. “There was also another dog who had no use of his hind legs and was just dragging himself around. Everywhere you looked there was a cat.”


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