EVESHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The deplorable conditions inside of their Burlington County home has landed a South Jersey couple in jail, after investigators found about 100 dead dogs on the property where the pair lived with a 9-year-old boy.
Rebecca Halbach, 35, and Brandon Leconey, 32, face charges of child neglect and animal cruelty. The pair had been working with several animal shelters to foster dogs at their home on Main Street.
A representative from an animal shelter in North Carolina became suspicious about the conditions at the home and believed the couple were not taking proper care of the animals. After he paid them a visit and inspected the property, he tipped off police in Evesham Township about what was happening.
Evesham Township Police Chief Walt Miller said what officers found when they came to check out the tip was shocking.
“I mean there’s dogs in cages, live dogs in cages, dead dogs in cages. Dead animals throughout the house laying on the floor,” he said.
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Miller said it was so foul inside the house that police couldn’t even begin their search right away.
“There was possibly about 30 deceased dogs inside the home.”
He said Tuesday that police found a burial pit out back with about 70 more dead animals, covered with nothing but a tarp.
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The boy was removed from the home and is in good health. He is now in state care.
The couple is being held at the Burlington County Jail, where both are awaiting a detention hearing.
Police are seeking tips
Police want to hear from anyone who may have worked with the couple on animal foster care. The Evesham Township Police Department confidential tip line is 856-983-4699.
Miller says police believe the couple had been receiving money to care for the animals.
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