barnyard sanctuary pig

The Barnyard Sanctuary is caring for 136 animals seized from a property in Independence Township on April 1, 2015 | The Barnyard Sanctuary

INDEPENDENCE TWP.— With animal cruelty charges pending for a Warren County couple also charged with child abuse and neglect, the state SPCA said today its officers were "shocked and overwhelmed" upon the discovery of piles of dead and decomposing animals at two properties.

Local police in Independence Township began investigating Chad J. Lloyd, 36, and Kimberly Brown, 23, after responding to a report of five pigs running loose in their neighborhood last week, according to the Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke.

"When returning the pigs to the property, the animal control officer discovered numerous dead animals in various states of decomposition throughout the property," the SPCA said in a press release issued today, adding that it was immediately requested to step in.

When SPCA officers responded to the home at 89 Russling Road, near Mount Bethel Road and Route 46, they "were shocked and overwhelmed by the number of dead animals in various states of decomposition throughout the location and close to the residence," the release states.

Additionally, a large number of live animals in need of food, water and veterinary care were on the property as well.

Through their investigation, it was also determined that Lloyd kept animals at another property in Lafayette where a "large pile" of dead animals were found in various states of decomposition, according to the SPCA.

The total number of dead animals at both locations is 75 at this point, but the SPCA said it is still counting dead chickens and work on the two properties continues.

Including pigs, goats, calves, emus, pheasants, chickens, quails, ducks, 70 partridges, cockatiel bird, chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs, baby chicks, geese, turkey, cows and a snake, roughly 180 animals have been removed from the properties as they were emaciated and in need of immediate car, according to the SPCA.

They are currently being cared for at both the Barnyard Sanctuary in Columbia and the Skylands Animal Sanctuary in Wantage, the release states.

However, there are still a number of animals remaining on the properties that are in the process of being captured and relocated, the SPCA said.



"Donations to the NJSPCA, Barnyard Sanctuary and Skylands Animal Sanctuary would be greatly appreciated as we are in need of feed and veterinary care. The number of animals is expected to exceed 200 from both locations," according to the release.

The investigation is ongoing and animal cruelty charges are pending, the SPCA said.



In addition to those charges, the couple was already charged by township police with two counts of endangering the welfare of children.

Burke said that two children, ages 3 and 10, were in close proximity to the "carcasses" outside the home, did not have hot water and only had space heaters for warmth inside the home.

Child protective services are involved and the children are being observed for any health concerns relating to their living conditions, Burke said.

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Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njnpublishing.com.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins Find The Warren Reporter on Facebook.