'Unbearable Odor Of Feces' Leads To Rescue Of 15 Animals From Hackettstown Home: Cops

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A police officer on routine patrol struck by a wafting odor of animal feces found a deplorable scene in Hackettstown recently, Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

The officer was patrolling Valentine Street on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 3:38 p.m. when he detected the odor of feces emanating from a residence, and also noticed a broken window, Tynan said. When the officers approached the residence, he detected “the unbearable odor of feces” and observed several barking dogs inside the home, Tynan said.

The officer contacted Hackettstown Animal Control and the NJSPCA, along with the Warren County Health Department to respond to the scene. An investigation revealed the owner of the residence, Ann Loux, 58, of Hackettstown, was keeping 11 dogs and four cats in the home.

All the animals were surrendered and taken to a boarding facility.

Loux was charged by the NJSPCA with failure to provide necessary care to animals when in charge and failure to provide necessary care to animals.