Child found in ‘despicable condition’ house surrounded by at least 30 dead dogs

Two people were arrested after a child was found living in a home with dozens of dead dogs (Picture: Fox29/Evesham Police Department)

Two people in New Jersey were arrested after police discovered a child living in a home alongside more than 30 dead dogs.

On Monday, police were called to a home in Evesham Township after a witness noticed multiple dogs at the property that appeared to be ‘sick and/or malnourished.’

The home is located in the small suburb of Marlton, less than 15 miles outside of Philadelphia.

When investigators arrived at the home, they made a disturbing discovery – a nine-year-old boy was living in ‘despicable’ conditions alongside the remains of more than 30 dead dogs.

Investigators recovered a total of 14 dogs from the property (Picture: Fox29)

‘There’s dogs in cages. Live dogs in cages, dead dogs in cages. Dead animals throughout the house,’ Evesham Township Police Chief Walt Miller said at a press conference.

Miller told ABC6 Philadelphia that police had to open the house’s doors and windows before it was safe for investigators to go inside.

‘It’s definitely concerning having a 9-year-old child living in this home, sleeping in this home, eating in this home,’ he said.

Police did not say what relation the child was to the two adult occupants of the home.

Investigators recovered a total of 14 living dogs from the home, as well as ‘numerous’ cats and rabbits.

Nine of the dogs were hospitalized due to their poor health (Picture: Fox29)

Rebecca Halbach and Brandon Leconey were arrested and charged with child endangerment and animal cruelty (Picture: Evesham Police Department)

Nine of the dogs recovered were in ‘extremely poor health,’ police said, and were hospitalized at Mt Laurel Animal Hospital. One of the dogs had to be euthanized by veterinarians.

The home remains under investigation by Evesham Police. According to police, ‘as many as 100 dogs have died in this home, many of which are present in the home or are suspected to have been buried on the property.’

Rebecca Halbach, 35, and Brandon Leconey, 32, were arrested and charged with child endangerment and animal cruelty. Police said additional animal cruelty charges were expected after they could determine exactly how many dogs were dead on the property.

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