By John Burton
FREEHOLD– The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention for the Cruelty of Animals is taking advantage of the numerous offers it received to help care for a large number of ill-treated animals discovered last week at a Millstone farm.
The society received offers from neighbors and animal rescue organizations to accept the approximately 200 animals found at the 153 Still House Road property.
“We have received calls from as far as Utah, and dozens of farms and local businesses have expressed their desire to relocate and house these animals,” said Victor “Buddy” Amato, chief humane law enforcement officer for the society, in a statement released by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Many area farms and businesses have donated hay and grain to feed the animals, authorities said.
The two investigating officers, Larry Donato and Debra Nagel with the society’s law enforcement division, are coordinating efforts to relocate the animals, including goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, chickens and peacocks.
The animals were found last week to be living in what Amato deemed “deplorable conditions,” without access to clean water or sufficient food. Investigators found numerous animal carcasses on the property.
Authorities have filed charges against the property owner, Christopher Lance Vaccaro, 45, for mistreatment of animals. Vaccaro is expected to appear in Millstone Municipal Court at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
