LONG BRANCH - A Hoey Avenue homeowner has been fined for keeping sheep after a pair of the farm animals briefly escaped from their owner's backyard.

Police Chief Jason Roebuck said the animals were seen running down the street, drawing the attention of neighbors who phoned the police. Hoey Avenue is near Lake Takanassee.

Officer Tracy Widdis helped shepherd the animals back to their owner, who was then issued a summons by Animal Control Supervisor Deb Nagel. The farm animals are not permitted in the city.

The homeowner was also ordered to return the sheep to a farm.

In over two decades of police work, Roebuck said he never had a call for sheep on the loose.

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The incident happened on April 17.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.