- New Jersey, USA -
The Evesham Police Department announced the arrest of 35-years-old REBECCA A. HALBACH and 32-years-old BRANDON L. LECONEY (both pictured).
In a press release, police said that on Monday, August 28, 2023, officers responded to a report of suspected animal cruelty at a home in the 600 block of Main Street in Evesham after a witness reported seeing multiple dogs at the property who “appeared to be sick and /or malnourished.”
Officers made contact with the residents, HALBACH and LECONEY, and discovered live and dead dogs inside the home. Police said the conditions inside the residence were extremely poor due to the number of deceased animals.
According to the release, more than thirty (30) dead dogs were found inside the home “throughout the living space.” Officers also found fourteen live dogs as well as several live cats and rabbits. Nine (9) dogs were taken to the Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital. Many of them were in extremely poor health to the extent that one of them had sadly to be euthanized.
Police said that from the investigation it emerged that as many as a hundred (100) dogs have died in this home and some of them could be buried on the property.
During a press conference, Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller said that a North Carolina-based nonprofit had been placing dogs with HALBACH and LECONEY to be fostered. The organization had been giving money to the couple to care for the dogs but became suspicious that the Voiceless Victims were not being cared for so they sent a representative to New Jersey to investigate.
That person then reported the duo to police and the investigation began. HALBACH and LECONEY were taking money while allowing the poor souls to starve to death!
Eyewitness News identified the North Carolina nonprofit as Tender Mercies Pet Organization.
Tender Mercies Pet Organization has been posting pictures and updates on the dogs they got back into their custody.
A 9-year-old boy was also found to be living in the home and was removed by police due to the unhealthy conditions.
HALBACH and LECONEY are charged with animal cruelty and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police said as the investigation continues, they are working with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office to process the scene.
Additional animal cruelty charges will be filed once the actual number of dogs can be determined, said Chief Miller.
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