Puppies Left In 'Deplorable' Condition In Sayreville: Prosecutor

SAYREVILLE, NJ — A man has been charged with animal cruelty after Middlesex County prosecutor Andrew Carey said he left a dozen puppies without food and water — and with numerous health and hygiene issues — at a storefront called Pet Supplies Plus in Sayreville.

Warren S. Smith, 32, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania was arrested Friday and charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty in the fourth degree, one for each puppy. He was charged with failing to provide necessary care as the owner charged with the care of the animals specifically, adequate food and/or water and/or veterinary care.

Sayreville police started the investigation July 24, when they received a complaint of puppies barking at Pet Supplies Plus, located at 120 Main Street in Sayreville.

Sayreville police investigated, as did the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Middlesex County Department of Health. They found 12 French bulldog puppies at the location.

The puppies were in age range from 12 weeks to 3 years, and were left in deplorable conditions, said the county prosecutor in a press release.

Smith's connection to the storefront is not immediately known. All puppies are alive and improving, said a spokeswoman for the prosecutor.