Crime & Safety

Brick Couple Who Abused 'Sammy' The Dog to be Sentenced

By Catherine Galioto

A pair of Brick Township residents who pleaded guilty to charges relating to leaving a cocker spaniel in a trash bag on the side of a Wall Township road is scheduled for sentencing in Brick Municipal Court on Monday.

In a previous court proceeding, Keith Morgan, of Sawmill Road, entered pleas of guilty to abuse and animal cruelty, and filing a false report with police. 

Shauna Morgan, also of Sawmill Road, entered guilty pleas to two counts of abuse and neglect. A charge of abandonment was dismissed. Attorneys met for about two hours before the pleas were entered to arrive at the plea bargains.

Judge Robert LePore will preside over the sentencing. The charges carry fines, a maximum of six months jail time and up to three years of probation.

Victor "Buddy" Amato, the chief humane law enforcement officer of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, previously called the plea a "win," because the charges that were dismissed mirrored others charges with which the Morgans had been charged.

Today the community group “Sammy the Cocker Spaniel” Facebook page posted a message urging for a maximum sentence. The group has more than 20,000 members. “

Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Keith and Shauna Morgan pleaded guilty to abusing their dog Sammy, a lovely senior dog who was stuffed into a garbage bag, unable to walk and barely alive. Let's hope and pray that justice is served and that the maximum sentence is imposed at the sentencing hearing, Monday, in Brick, NJ.”


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