BRICK – A judge has denied the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s motion to keep the two alleged animal hoarders in jail after they had violated the terms of their release, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
Aimee Lonczak, 49, and Michele Nycz, 58, both of Brick, are awaiting trial for Animal Cruelty and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
On December 2, 2022, police found 129 dogs and 43 cats located in their Arrowhead Park Drive home, and six dogs and one cat living in a vehicle parked outside the house. Additionally, Lonczak’s 16-year-old child was living in the house. The two were ordered to have no contact with her as she was sent to live with other family members.
Recently, the women asked for their seven “personal dogs” to be returned to them in the meantime. However, the court did not make a decision.
On January 19, Lonczak and Nycz allegedly went to the Ocean County Animal Shelter in Stafford Township demanding the return of their dogs. The daughter was with them. Shelter employees did not turn the dogs over and called police.
As a result of violating conditions, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office filed motions to revoke the pre-trial release of both Lonczak and Nycz.
About 11 days later, the judge denied their request but imposed an additional condition of the defendants’ release: they must have no contact with animal shelters or pet stores.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
