New Court Date Set in 'Sammy the Dog' Abusers' Appeal

The Brick couple appealing their sentence after pleading guilty to abusing a cocker spaniel named Sammy has had their court date changed to March 18.

Keith and Shauna Morgan, both of Sawmill Road, were sentenced in November to six months in jail, plus $1,000 in fines and $13,500 in restitution to a veterinary clinic after admitting to animal cruelty charges.

The Morgans have since appealed Municipal Court Judge Robert Lepore's sentence, which was rendered in November, and have remained free.

According to court officials, Judge James Blaney will hear the couple's appeal in Ocean County Superior Court at 3 p.m.

The Morgans, before entering their guilty pleas, had been charged with neglecting and starving the older, white cocker spaniel to the point where the dog could not move due to its hair being so overgrown and matted.

The pair were charged after Keith Morgan brought Sammy to the Monmouth County SPCA in a bag, saying he found the dog on the side of the road in Wall Township. Eventually, investigators found out the dog belonged to the Morgans.

In handing down his sentence, Lepore said the couple should serve jail time due to their "depraved, cruel and heinous conduct."

At sentencing, the attorney for the Morgans, Marc B. Schram of Hazlet, blamed Sammy's condition on Keith Morgan's health issues.