Crime & Safety

Second Brick Resident Appeals Jail Sentencing For Abusing "Sammy" The Dog

Both Brick residents have appealed the maximum jail time sentence of six months

With a Superior Court filing made last week, now both Keith and Shauna Morgan have appealed their sentencing of six months jail time for abusing their pet dog, a cocker spaniel named "Sammy."

On Nov. 18, the Morgans, who live on Sawmill Road in Brick, were sentenced in Brick Municipal Court amid a standing-room only crowd supporting the dog. "Sammy" or "Samurai" the cocker spaniel was left deaf and with a cleft foot after neglect such as malnourishment and mistreatment that required 25 days of care before he could stand again.

The Morgans pleaded guilty, admitting that the story they had told police was a lie. Keith Morgan said he found the dog in a trash bag on the side of the road, and drove to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital to turn in the found animal. The cocker spaniel was in fact the Morgans' pet.

The pair, who received the maximum jail sentence for the animal abuse charges, must also pay a total of $13,000 in restitution to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. Both were barred from ever owning a dog again. They were ordered to pay $1,000 each in fines.

Brick Municipal Court Judge Robert LePore said at the sentencing that while jail time might not often be leveled as a sentence on those guilty of animal cruelty, it should be, and ordered the maximum jail sentence for both Keith and Shauna.

First Shauna and now Keith Morgan have appealed the sentence, according to the Asbury Park Press, who wrote the appeal proceedings have yet to be scheduled.

Both Shaun and Keith Morgan remain free as they appeal, as was allowed in LePore's order.


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