6 Months In Jail For Middletown Woman Who Hoarded 60+ Dogs

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — On Thursday, a local woman was sentenced in Middletown municipal court to six months in the county jail related to a 2020 animal hoarding incident.

The woman is Marlene Sandford, of the Belford section. She also must pay $30,500 in fines. Sanford’s sentencing came with 61 counts of animal cruelty and a lifetime pet ownership ban in the state of New Jersey.

In July 2020, the Monmouth County SPCA, joined by Middletown Police and Animal Control, rescued more than 60 dogs and puppies that had been living in "deplorable" conditions in a small apartment inside a residential home.

It was a family member who called the county's animal cruelty hotline about the home on 7th Street in Belford.

The dogs and puppies were stacked in crates, had no food and water, and were living in their own feces and urine, said the SPCA at the time.

"Many of these poor animals were so matted in their own urine and feces that they could barely walk in their small, excrement-filled kennels and were forced to drink out of filthy water bowls, if any was accessible at all," wrote the agency at the time.

According to the group, the home was "sweltering" in Monday's 100+-degree heat, and the stench of ammonia "so strong it burned their eyes." Several pregnant dogs were recovered along with newborn puppies just hours old.

Dozens of SPCA workers and Middletown Township staff worked in sweltering heat to remove each dog from the home, a job that took six hours in total. The majority of the dogs had matted fur from sitting in their own excrement, were crammed into crates together, and had never had veterinary care.

All 61 dogs were transferred to the Monmouth County SPCA where they were vaccinated, spay/neutered, groomed, and received other surgeries if necessary. One dog in particular, Mary Lou, had been so matted that her fur grew around her legs, leaving her deformed and needing corrective surgery and amputation.

Original Patch report: Over 60 Dogs Rescued From 'Horrific' Conditions In Middletown (July 2020)

“There is no greater victory than when justice is brought forth, especially when the lives of innocent animals are involved," said MCSPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra. "We are so proud of our Monmouth County SPCA Law Enforcement Division along with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Middletown Township Police for the persistence, professionalism and hard work it took to finally bring this case to an end. This is a big win for animal welfare, and we can’t reiterate enough that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in our community.”

All 61 of the Belford dogs and puppies were adopted and are now in loving homes.