MCSPCA Humane Law Enforcement Division

We are committed to protecting animals from abuse.

If you would like to report suspected cruelty to animals, please call us at 732-542-0040.
Abuse could include a dog on a very short chain or exposed to bad weather or animals who look sickly or injured. If you suspect abuse, please call and leave your phone number. We will only ask you to provide information, you will be able to stay anonymous.

We cannot take cruelty reports by email. Please call 732-542-0040.

The Monmouth County SPCA has a long history of protecting animals from abuse. We are there to help those who cannot speak for themselves. Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato is our Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer. Buddy is a retired police officer who brings a wealth of law enforcement experience and a lifelong dedication to animal welfare. He is supported by a group of dedicated staff and volunteers who come from many different backgrounds and all are dedicated to our mission of preventing cruelty to animals. Our volunteers receive extensive training in Title IV law, educating the public, identifying animal cruelty, prosecuting animal cruelty cases and court room procedure. Our team is comprised of Sergeant Tom Gormley, Agent Veronica Ehrenspeck, Corporal Karen Smyth, Agent Bill Nole, Officer John Schierbaum and Agent Jessica Deaney.

As the Humane Law Enforcement Division of the Monmouth County SPCA, we are granted our Law Enforcement authority by the State of New Jersey under Title IV - AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS CHAPTER 22. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ARTICLE 2. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY. We are charged with the responsibility of enforcing the State of New Jersey Animal Cruelty Laws in Monmouth County, NJ. Additionally, a large part of what we do is educating the public-at-large as to the responsibilities and requirements of pet and animal ownership.

                                                     Read the New Jersey Anti-Cruelty Laws

Our Humane Law Enforcement Division investigates more than 900 animal cruelty complaints every year. We handle cases much like those featured on TV's "Animal Cops"-emaciated dogs who've been starved by their owners, collectors who accumulate so many animals that they can't provide proper care for them, innocent puppies thrown into a dumpster and left for dead. But thanks to the efforts of our Humane Law Enforcement Division, these animals are rescued, medical attention is provided and new homes are found. Most importantly, those who caused the suffering of these helpless animals are brought to justice.

Report Cruelty: Please address reports or concerns of animal cruelty to Buddy's attention by calling us at the shelter at 732-542-0040 (we cannot take cruelty reports by email). We will ask only for information, you will be able to remain anonymous.

How you can help: We do not receive any public funding and rely solely on donations to fund our Humane Law Enforcement work. Make a donation and help us help those who need it most- neglected and abused animals. Mail a donation to:

Monmouth County SPCA
Humane Law Enforcement Division
260 Wall Street, PO Box 93
Eatontown NJ 07724.

Or go to our online donations page and make a donation on our Secure Server provided by the non-profit organization Groundspring. Choose "Humane Law Enforcement Fund" and your kind donation will be used to support our curelty prevention work.

Thank you!

Current Cases and Rewards for Information   

Past Cases

Rescue Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

The head, along with a penny, a feather and a piece of string, were all found in the bag by a school custodian about 8 a.m. on Monday, police Lt. Larry Mihlon said Tuesday. So far, police have not charged anyone.

The goat may have been used as part of a Santeria ceremony, a Caribbean religion that combines aspects of Roman Catholicism with African traditions. The name means "Way of the Saints."

Police do not have any evidence that the goat's head was meant as a threat to anyone. Investigators are also not sure if the head was left at the school on purpose or was just discarded there, Mihlon said.

Schools officials were notified about the incident on Monday, Mihlon said.

In addition to local police, the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was investigating.

The people who left the head at the school could face a number of charges, including theft, criminal mischief and animal cruelty, Mihlon said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the West Long Branch Police Department Detective Bureau at (732) 229-5000.

Our Humane Law Enforcement division is investigating a case of cruelty and abandonment in a home in Keansburg. The animals' owner Judith Brown reportedly abandoned 28 cats – eight of which were found dead in the house.

When our investigators entered the home, they had to wade through two inches of feces. They also reported that animal feces covered the other surfaces of the home.

Chief Victor Amato will be charging Brown, who also goes by the name Judith Hanis, with more than 50 counts of animal cruelty, including abandonment and lack of veterinary care.

We are already severely overcrowded. Please consider adopting a cat or two! We are also seeking foster homes for the animals that are healthy enough for adoption. Come visit the shelter to meet our adoptable cats, or call 732-542-2030 if you are interested in fostering. Thank you!

Read the story in the Asbury Park Press (the story says the cats went to the Humane Society, but they are with us)

Christopher Welch, 19, admitted to one count of third-degree animal cruelty before Superior Court Judge Patricia Del Bueno Cleary. Authorities said Welch and a juvenile on June 4, 2005, shot and killed a baby groundhog with a paintball gun, then shot, tortured and set the groundhog's mother on fire. That animal also died.

The charge was elevated from a fourth-degree crime because of the death of the animals.

Third-degree crimes are generally punishable by a term of 3 to 5 years imprisonment, except there is a presumption against incarceration where the defendant has no prior record, authorities said.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 5.

The investigation regarding the juvenile remains active, authorities said.

Welch and the other teen were charged by Middletown police June 10.

Authorities said the two teens observed the groundhogs on Welch's property, then Welch retrieved the paintball gun from his house.

After shooting the baby groundhog, the teens then shot the mother approximately 10 times, then threw a blunt object on its spine and used a net to drag the animal into woods, where they used gasoline to set the animal on fire.

The investigation was conducted by Middletown police, the Monmouth County SPCA and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said Welch "engaged in heinous and depraved acts of cruelty upon these animals. Consistent with the plea agreement, we will seek a term of imprisonment, a psychiatric evaluation and treatment recommendations."

Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Bycsek handled the case.