Animal groups save dogs from Aberdeen house By josh davidson Staff Writer ABERDEEN — Citing irresponsibility, animal agencies removed 15 dogs from a township residence. The dogs were removed in early July from the care of Linda and Jennifer Craney, Lorraine Drive, said Stuart Goldman, chief humane law enforcement officer for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Eatontown. The two owners face a number of disorderly persons charges including failure to provide proper shelter to animals. Each could be fined up to $1,000. The case will be heard in Aberdeen Municipal Court on July 28 at 9 a.m. The dogs, ranging in age from 6 months to 2 years, were only being fed by the owners. They received no other care, Goldman said. The dogs included shepherd mixes and collies, Goldman said. The dogs were also breeding and giving birth out-of-control, Goldman said. "They were all messing the house," Goldman said. "They were adult dogs. They were running all over and they never went outside." In a fight for space, the dogs had wounded each other, Goldman said. They were missing hair and had fleas, he added. Two of the dogs had to be put to sleep after they were removed from the home because they became seriously ill, Goldman said. "All their immunity was shot. They lived in that house their whole lives. The dogs were just a mess. They were abused by neglect," he said. Despite the serious neglect, the owners did not intentionally harm the animals, Goldman said. "The situation was harmful," he said. "The reason I am bringing the court action is to stop it from happening again," he added. "Because if we don’t, it will happen." Goldman said the amount of money the SPCA is seeking in fines from the residents is limited. The SPCA removed the animals at the request of the Monmouth County Board of Health, he said. The board received complaints from neighbors about smells emanating from the house because of the dogs, he said. The Craneys’ neighbors called on and off for about a year about the matter, he said. Aberdeen police also received calls and have the option of filing charges if they wish, Goldman said. The SPCA offered the Craneys help to ease the problems with their animals including spaying, neutering and medication, but the Craneys failed to comply with the organization’s suggestions for the dogs’ treatment, he said. "They didn’t take any of those offers up," he said. "They took up no offers at all." Animals seized by the SPCA are often taken to a local shelter, Goldman said. If there is no room for them there, the dogs could be put to sleep, he added. The organization is hoping to find new owners for the animals in an effort to avoid that scenario, he said. Anyone interested in adopting one or more of the dogs can call the SPCA at (732) 542-0040.