Under state law, animal shelters are required to hold animals or put them up for adoption for at least seven days before considering euthanasia.

The embattled Hamilton Township Animal Shelter violated state law on animal euthanasia and euthanized over 300 animals over a two-year period without following proper procedures. Now two of the shelter’s former supervisors have been charged with animal abuse and mismanagement, the Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri announced Friday evening.

Onofri announced charges for one current and one former township employee in charge of the shelter: Todd Bencivengo, 56, the former director, and Jeffrey Plunkett, 62, the township’s health officer.

Each faces two counts of third-degree animal cruelty and one count of second-degree official misconduct, Onofri said in a news statement. Plunkett lives in Hamilton, Bencivengo in North Hanover.

The prosecutor’s office began investigating the shelter in August after it was forwarded two complaints from the state. The prosecutor’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit learned the shelter euthanized 236 cats and 93 dogs before they were held, or up for adoption, for at least seven days.

Onofri said the investigation revealed “multiple examples of mismanagement,” but no evidence that could lead to any additional charges. The Hamilton Township Council is handling administrative discipline, he said.

Hamilton Council President Jeff Martin, Vice President Rick Tighe and Anthony Carabelli, the Democrats on council, said in a statement Friday they are reviewing the charges and will act afterward.

“Today is a sad day for Hamilton Township,” they wrote, adding, “Our goal remains the same: to have a shelter which treats all animals humanely.”

Last year, Martin called for an investigation into the shelter, which continued to euthanize more animals after a major $1.1 million renovation in 2015 that added 16 extra dog kennels, bringing the total to 36, and doubled the spaces for cats from 25 to 50.

“The shelter’s ‘kill-rate’ has reduced by only 1 percent, and its operating budget has increased by 44 percent in just four years,” Tighe said in July.

At the time,Mayor Kelly Yaede called their accusations “politically motivated” and “reprehensible.”

The mayor said she had not seen the charges filed against Plunkett and Bencivengo, as of Friday evening. She said the arrests were part of a political witch hunt brought on by Martin and the Gov. Phil Murphy administration.

“I hope the courts, unlike the Murphy Administration will quickly decide in a fair and non-political manner,” Yaede said. “I intend to swiftly seek higher authority review of this investigation and the Murphy Administration’s involvement.”

“We have nothing to hide," Plunkett said in July, ahead of a meeting to discuss the shelter. “I couldn’t be more proud of our animal shelter staff and the...commitment they show to the citizens and animals of Hamilton.”

The shelter was subjected to an investigation and review by the N.J. Department of Health in July after the agency had received complaints from citizens about the inappropriate conditions at the shelter.

The investigation resulted in a state report that listed a series of violations for the shelter to correct in order to continue operating, which the shelter complied with.

Plunkett and Bencivengo were issued summonses on Friday at the prosecutor’s office. They are scheduled to appear in Superior Court of Mercer County on May 21.

Todd Bencivengo, left, and Mayor Kelly Yaede, during a 2015 media tour of the shelter when the township announced an $1.1 million expansion. TT TT

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz.

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