“Crazy Rescue Ladies” Jailed For Animal Cruelty

BRICK – Two women who stockpiled animals in their home have received jail sentences for animal cruelty and child neglect.

Michele Nycz, 60, and Aimee Lonczak, 51, both of Brick, will serve 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of a four-year probationary term. Judge Guy Ryan additionally imposed a lifetime ban on animal ownership and working with animals, and they will have to do community service (not to involve animals).

Additionally, Lonczak was sentenced to 364 days in the Ocean County Jail for Child Neglect in connection with the same investigation. The sentences will run at the same time.

The investigation began on December 2, 2022 when Brick police went to their Arrowhead Park Drive home on an anonymous complaint that they were running a puppy mill. While speaking to the two women in the driveway, officers heard barking and could smell a strong odor. Once inside, they saw animal crates of dogs and cats stacked on top of one another and other unsanitary conditions.

Rescuers had to don Hazmat equipment to remove the 129 dogs and 43 cats in the house, as well as the bodies of two dead dogs.

The surviving pets were sent to shelters for rehabilitation and/or adoption. Brick Police, in their initial release, referred to the situation as a puppy mill. Later media reports referred to it as an animal rescue operation that went wrong. Lonczak was the owner of Crazy Rescue Ladies Inc. She and Nycz lived there with Lonczak’s daughter, who was 16 at the time.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commended the Brick Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation and prosecution.