N.J. women who kept 170 animals in filth get jail time, lifetime pet ban in cruelty case

Two New Jersey women have been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges after authorities found more than 170 animals being kept in filthy conditions inside a home, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday.

Michele Nycz, 60, and Aimee Lonczak, 51, both of Brick, were sentenced to 364 days while appearing before state Superior Court Judge Guy Ryan, according to a news release. In June, both pled guilty to two counts of animal cruelty. Lonczak also pled guilty to child neglect as well.

They were arrested in December 2022 after authorities discovered they were keeping 129 dogs and 43 cats in a house in Brick. Lonczak’s 16-year-old daughter was also living in the home, it was previously reported.