Judge in Dog Abuse Case: We Need to Send a Message to Animal Abusers

Brick Municipal Judge Robert LePore heard attorneys for Shauna and Keith Morgan describe how the pair were remorseful for neglecting their dog, Samurai "Sammy" the cocker spaniel, and concocting a story they had discovered an animal in a trash bag on the side of the road.

He heard the defense say Keith Morgan had been suffering from advanced kidney health issues and was depressed, that Shauna Morgan was separated from her husband at the time of the animal's neglect, and that it was a "moment of weakness" that the plan had been put into place to mislead authorities.

And after hearing Brick Municipal Prosecutor Steven Zabarsky dispute the Morgans counsels' claims and argue the Morgans deserved the maximum sentence, Judge LePore said it was time to send a message.

"Animal cruelty is a substantial crime," LePore said, adding it is unfortunate that judges elsewhere thought it appropriate to not give jail time to individuals who purposefully inflict harm on animals.

The counsel for the Morgans argued that other cases of aggravated violence toward pets resulting in death of animals, the defendants there received no jail time. And in the Morgans case, there was no violence and the animal survived after 25 days' treatement at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, they said.

Zabarsky insisted the maximum sentence, six months' jail, was warranted in the Morgans case.

LePore agreed, calling the pairs' neglect of Sammy "heinous and depraved," but also saying the maximum was applicable because it would serve as a deterrent.

"Unless the defendants are sentenced to imprisonment for their depraved acts toward Sammy, they will not be deterred," LePore said.

With both defendant attorneys and prosecution citing animal abuse cases to argue for their side, LePore said he hoped this case and its sentence of jail time would be noted worldwide.

"If these individuals are not imprisoned, such acts of animal cruelty will assuredly continue worldwide undeterred," LePore said. "This court believes a message needs to be sent not just to this community but globally."

Followed by cheers and applause from the standing-room only audience of courtroom supporters for Sammy, LePore ordered the Morgans to each serve six months in prison, pay a $1000 fine, and more than $13,000 in restitution to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital who treated Sammy. The Morgans are barred from ever owning a dog again, LePore ordered.