Repeat-Offender Henry Guzikowski Pleads Guilty To Animal Cruelty At Hamilton Township Farm In New Jersey
As per NJ.com, neighbors reported wild hogs in the area, like this one posted on Facebook by resident David Henderson on August 25th of last year. Photo from David Henderson.
Henry Guzikowski, from Pennsylvania, was arrested in August 2018 and charged with multiple counts of third-and-fourth-degree animal cruelty to which he pleaded guilty this week, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri.
As per a statement emailed to WAN this afternoon, the 55-year-old perpetrator pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree animal cruelty before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Thomas M. Brown on May 20th.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the state will recommend probation for Guzikowski conditioned upon 90 days of incarceration. He will also be required to make reasonable restitution to Hamilton Township for the use of Public Works and other expenses the township incurred during the investigation. Most importantly, Guzikowski will or rather must be prohibited from owning or possessing any animals.
The guilty plea is a result of an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLEU). In August 2018, Hamilton Township officials contacted the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office after receiving numerous complaints from residents and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. An investigation was initiated by HLEU and with the assistance of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Hamilton Township Animal Control, Hamilton Township Building Inspections, Hamilton Township Public Works and the Hamilton Township Police Division, a search warrant was executed on August 21st, 2018, at Guzikowski's 14-acre farm on Uncle Pete's Road in Hamilton.
Sadly, once on the property, detectives discovered 38 runner ducks in one coop, two of which were deceased while all were completely covered in approximately six inches of feces. Twelve chickens were found inside the abandoned house. Five were dead and another died while officials were securing the property. In the chicken coop, detectives located approximately 54 more chickens, one of which was deceased. All appeared to be infected with disease and one had severe growths on its feet.
Nine pigs covered in feces were also discovered in a garage-like structure on the property. As investigators were working, Hamilton Township Animal Control received notification that the 500-pound hog on the property was roaming the nearby neighborhood. HLEU, with the assistance of Hamilton Animal Control and Public Works, lured the hog back with food and secured it in a pen.
As per the local CBS affiliate, Guzikowski was previously found guilty of animal cruelty in 2014 when 20 rabbits living in deplorable conditions were removed from his care.
In January of this year, Bucks County SPCA rescued 30 rabbits from Guzikowski's property in Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania, after they were found living in frigid temperatures and unsanitary conditions.
How is it possible that this repeat-offender was allowed to have animals after being charged with mistreatment before?
Guzikowski is scheduled to be sentenced on July 12th.
You can help all animals by choosing compassion on your plate. #GoVegg
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