40 Animals In Morris County Shelter Saved From 'Puppy Mill'

MADISON, NJ — More than 130 dogs and cats were rescued from an illegal puppy mill being run out of a home in Scotch Plains and 40 of them are now being cared for by a Morris County animal shelter, authorities said.

A tip to police on Monday reported that the conditions inside Dominick Ciabattari, 60, of Scotch Plains' home on the corner of Terrill Road and Laurie Court were unsafe and unsanitary for humans and animals, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Cronin, who is prosecuting the case.

St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center of Madison, assisted authorities and the Plainfield Area Humane Society in the rescue of over 130 dogs and cats from a suspected breeding operation in Scotch Plains on Monday.

Nearly 40 animals, a mix of dogs and cats, were brought to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison. Among them are puppies and kittens, and several pregnant animals. All are being continually cared for and evaluated by our staff, and will receive medical treatment if needed. In the coming days, St. Hubert’s will help these pets find the safe, loving homes they deserve.

When Scotch Plains Police went to the home they found and saved a total of 132 animals, ranging in age from newborns to fully grown, breeding-age adults, including about two dozen cats, with the remainder being various breeds of dogs, Ruotolo said.

The total also included 71 Chihuahuas, 18 Golden Retrievers, 17 Pomeranians, and 3 Pekingese, Ruotolo said.

The dogs and cats were kept in unsanitary conditions, many locked in cages around the clock in a loud, stressful environment, with no outdoor activity. There was no indiciaton of proper vetting or veterinary care or records, and evidence was recovered indicating that unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine was taking place on site, Ruotolo said.

Ciabattari was charged with 10 fourth-degree criminal charges and four disorderly persons offenses for failing to properly care for the animals, some of which were pregnant, along with others that have been diagnosed with severe dental injuries, severe dehydration, infection, ocular discharge, and other conditions, Ruotolo said.

Additional charges are expected and specific information about the charges and court proceedings will be released as it becomes available, once veterinary records are received.

Puppy mills are inhumane commercial breeding operations that put profit over the health and well-being of animals, officials said. According to the Humane Society of the United States - NJ, nearly 140 New Jersey towns have passed anti-puppy mill ordinances to protect consumers and animals.

All of the animals were sent to more than a dozen local shelters. Anyone interested in adopting any of the pets are invited to contact the shelter nearest to them:

• Traveling Paws (Cranford)
• Jersey Pits Rescue (Garwood)
• All Star Pet Rescue (Linden)
• Brendan's Meadows Rescue (Mountainside): 908-272-8555
• Plainfield Area Humane Society (Plainfield): 908-754-0300
• Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption (Scotch Plains)
• Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue (Aberdeen): 732-765-8378
• A Pathway to Hope (Hawthorne)
• St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center (Madison)
• Montclair Township Animal Shelter (Montclair): 973-744-8600
• Second Chance Pet Adoption League (Oak Ridge): 973-208-1054
• Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge (Oakland): 201-337-5180
• Rescue Ridge (Spring Lake): 732-546-8805

"The Humane Society of the United States commends the Union County Prosecutor's Office and the Scotch Plains Police Department for their recent work responding to a puppy mill cruelty situation in the county. Their efficient and compassionate response ensured that 130 animals were brought to safety thanks to collaboration with a network of nearly a dozen animal shelters, which will help rehabilitate and rehome the animals," said Brian R. Hackett, Director of State Affairs for the New Jersey chapter of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and member of the Union County Animal Cruelty Task Force. "Through their exemplary efforts, the Union County Prosecutor's Office has established itself as a role model for our state, in how to properly enforce our state's strong anti-cruelty laws. Large-scale commercial breeding operations, such as the one in Scotch Plains, pose myriad problems for animals, consumers, and our communities. Puppy mills generate pain and suffering for both consumers and animals alike in New Jersey, and around our nation."

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