Two people charged after child found in home with 30 dead foster dogs

30 August 2023 , 03:10

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Various dogs both dead and alive were found on the property

A man and woman were arrested and charged with animal cruelty and child endangerment after police found a nine-year-old child living among more than 30 dead foster dogs.

Police believe that the New Jersey duo got money from animal rescue groups to care for the foster dogs. But instead, Brandon Leconey and Rebeccah Halbach, 32 years' old and 35 years' old respectively, were allegedly cashing the cheques and letting the animals starve to death.

A witness reported to the police that they saw various malnourished and sick dogs around the Evesham Township property. Officers went to the scene on Monday. They spoke to Leconey and Halbach before finding over 30 dogs dead inside the home. Police described the house as being in "despicable" condition.

The relationship between Leconey and Halbach is unknown (Evesham Township Police)

Halbach is currently hospitalised for an unrelated medical condition (Evesham Township Police)

Officers reportedly had to open doors and windows to air out the stench in the home. Toxic gas had to be reduced until it was safe to enter the home.

Fourteen dogs were found alive in the home, though nine were taken to a local animal hospital for treatment. There were also "numerous' cats and rabbits. Tragically, one dog had to be euthanised due to its poor health. Estimates say that up to 100 dogs may have died in the home, and more buried in the property's yard.

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"There's dogs in cages. Live dogs in cages, dead dogs in cages. Dead animals throughout the house," said Walt Miller, the Evesham Township Police Chief to WPVI.

Dogs were taken to an animal hospital for treatment (6abc)

A North Carolina animal rescue organisation tipped off the police that they were concerned about the dogs they sent to the New Jersey house. They believed that the duo was not properly caring for the foster dogs that they took care of in exchange for payment.

The child found in the property was also swiftly removed from the home due to the unhealthy living conditions and placed in the custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency. "It's definitely concerning having a 9-year-old child living in this home, sleeping in this home, eating in this home,” Police Chief Miller said. The child's relationship to Leconey and Halbach remains unclear.

Leconey was booked and processed at the Burlington County Jail and is pending a detention hearing. Meanwhile, Halbach is in a hospital undergoing medical evaluations for an unrelated medical problem. She will be jailed and processed once she's cleared.

Tatiana Krisztina