Couple arrested after cops find 9-year-old boy living in home with dozens of dead and dying foster dogs

 A New Jersey couple was arrested after police were tipped off by an animal rescue group that believed the two were mistreating foster dogs after receiving payment for their care.

Police said as many as 100 dogs may have died at the residence in Evesham Township in Burlington County. 

Officers went to the home of 35-year-old Rebecca Halbach and 32-year-old Brandon Leconey on Monday after a call of suspected animal cruelty, according to a press release from Evesham police.

Police said that they found dozens of dying dogs and a boy living in the squalid conditions, as well as “numerous” cats and rabbits. The 9-year-old boy was taken into the custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Police said it was unclear how the boy was related to the couple.

Investigators said they had to open the doors and windows of the home to air out some of the noxious gases. News video footage showed officials wearing hazmat suits to enter the home. 

Nine dogs were transported to Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in extremely poor health, and one had to be euthanized, police said. They also said that many dogs were found buried under a tarp in the backyard of the home. 

“Behind the home there was also a burial spot where there was a large number of dogs in various levels of decay,” said Evesham Township Police Chief Walt Miller.

The couple was apparently receiving money for the care of the dogs, but none of that money was used to care for them, said police.

Neighbors said they were shocked and disgusted to hear what was allegedly happening in their neighborhood.

Halbach and Leconey were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and animal cruelty. Leconey was taken into custody at the Burlington County jail, while Halbach was sent for a medical evaluation.

Here's a local news report about the arrests: