Were these these all have dead animals in them? >> Truthfully, >> yes. >> We didn't we didn't open anything, but there were some in trash bags, in containers, and bins. >> On August 28th, 2023, [music] officers arrived at a South Jersey home after a rescue group reported missing foster dogs. [music] What they found inside was a literal house of horrors that shocked even the most seasoned investigators. Suspicious activity turned into a heartbreaking discovery of neglect and decay. The homeowners tried to act like everything was normal, but the [music] stench of death was impossible to hide. It was a case that started with missing pets [music] and ended with a neighborhood in total disbelief. >> How are you guys? >> Good. How are you? >> What? Who lives here? >> I do. >> You do? Okay. You know why I'm here? >> I do not actually. >> Okay. So, a gentleman came. He got those two dogs from you earlier. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Those dogs are not taken care of in any way. All right. >> Yeah, that's um that's Lynn. She's the owner of the rescue. >> So, how many other dogs do you have? >> Me? >> Yeah. Eight >> inside the house? Eight. >> Are they a part of the rescue? >> No. >> Okay. They're your dogs. >> Uh majority of them are. Yes. Uh there's one with another rescue and there's two with another one. >> Okay. So, obviously due to the fact that the two other dogs that I saw weren't cared for. All right. I'm gonna ask you if I concede the other dogs you had to make sure they're in good health. All right. If you refuse to do so, I'm going to get a search warrant and I'm going to take those dogs if that search warrant gets brewed. I don't want to go that route. I don't think it's necessary. But obviously, I have to do my dog my job. Make sure that those dogs inside are taken care of. Right. Are they taken care of? >> No. >> Yeah. And you're shook. >> Well, I mean, to be honest, I mean, we we battled um Oh my god. What was the name of >> Parvo? We battle parvo. Um and >> uh there's still a few that are, you know, they still have coxidia. So diarrhea and you know what I mean? Like there's >> Okay. Um are will you allow me? Will you take me inside so I can see the dogs? >> I will happily bring them out to you. >> Okay. But I'm not going to have you go back in the house. Right. So it's it's either I I come in and see them or I go the search warrant route. you're not allowed back in your house until we find out whether I get that search warrant approved or not. Right. And I and I don't want to go that way. I don't think it's necessary. Um >> I don't understand like grant like those dogs >> that the guy Andrew has, >> right? They were listed under Lynn's rescue. So how does that >> They're in your care. Okay. So the dogs in your care, you have other dogs in there that are under your care. All right. The homeowner, Rebecca, acted completely clueless when the humane officer first brought up the neglected dogs. However, her told a different story. The officer didn't buy any excuse for a second. He gave her [music] a choice. Let him in now or wait for a search warrant. The tension was building as the truth started to leak. >> You You said if you saw the dogs, >> right, >> and they're and they're not in good health. I'd ask if you're willing to turn turn the dogs over to me. So, what would happen is I would contact our uh animal shelter I work with. I'm I'm the humane officer here, right? So, that's why I'm here talking to you. >> Okay. >> So, if they're not in good health, we'll have the shelter come. You'll turn them over. The shelter will take them and they'll get them back into good health. All right. So, so this is this is what what I want. So, I'm asking like >> because I'm sorry like I'm not trying to be rude. >> You don't have to be. No, you're good. Can you just >> Yeah. Do you mind? >> Um because of the whole like I I want to be honest with you, but >> I've never I've never been in trouble. I've never been arrested. I don't want the rescue to go down. I don't want like to go to [ __ ] jail. So >> there was I'm just saying with the whole parbo thing like >> what happens like >> so the dogs had parvo. I know what parvo is. I've like I said that he made >> but what if what if let's say I wasn't able to remove it yet. >> So one of them's dead in there and he didn't take drug again. We'll cross that path when we get there if if that's the case. Am I going to get arrest like in trouble? >> So, you're going to get you're going to get in some trouble regardless. Am I taking you away in handcuffs and stuff? No. If you work with me, I'm not trying to embarrass you in front of your neighbors. I'm not trying to do all that. >> Whatever you want to do to make this process easier is only going to benefit both of us, right? >> Obviously, right, the dogs in there, dead. There's other dogs that are sick. My only goal right now, today, at this moment, is to get those dogs out of here. As long as you are willing to consent to do that, goes a lot lot easier. And I get it. >> Rebecca's biggest fear seemed to be going to jail rather than [music] the fact that she had dead animals in her house. She kept rambling about her clean record. When the officer asked if a dog was dead inside, her hesitation was absolutely [music] vile. She was more worried about her reputation than the lives she was supposed to be [music] protecting. A grim discovery was just seconds away. >> You're working for this rescue? Well, I resigned. I resigned because a bunch of [ __ ] happened because that guy >> at one point you were right. >> Yeah. >> How many dogs alive do you have in there? >> Even if they're not mine, >> it doesn't matter. Whatever. Yeah. Whatever. Yeah. All Yeah. All the dogs in there. >> There's There's Phillip. He's a black and white pit. There's um Harlo. She's a little baby shepherd. just in in total. >> I'm I'm trying to I know them by their names and and their faces. So, that's two. Then I have Mo. He's a He's a red pit puppy. >> Okay. >> And then under him is Chameleia. She's like a some type of shepherd. She's a puppy. She's probably like yay big. Um and then um cuz they're all downstairs between there's a couple there's a Yorkie, there's a couple Maltes and >> Oh, but so like So they're all downstairs. So it would be like >> 8 to 10. >> Um Brandy left. >> I'll tell you what, Kitty. >> So okay, so hold on. So, there's one 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Listening to her count her live dogs was like watching a horror movie in slow motion. [music] She struggled to remember names and faces, yet she claimed to care for them. The officer played it cool, [music] letting her talk herself into a corner while waiting for backup. She really thought she was just going to turn them over and go back to her normal life. Little did she know her house of horrors was about to be fully exposed. >> How are you, sir? How are you? >> Good. I'm also Laona from Eve Shimp. Um, just let you know, I got a body on camera recording. I got to say it legally. So, just to fill you in on on the situation here, obviously with I got alerted to the situation in here. I'm a humane officer for our township. So, um, your wife, Rebecca, um, so I came here, I spoke with Rebecca. She's going to turn over the the dogs to us um today. We're waiting on the animal control officer with the van to get here. So, the dogs, the cats, all the animals are going to go the live ones and the dead ones with the animal control officer. >> Who you doing? >> Who's he? >> Uh it's my father. >> So, he cool to hear everything. >> Yeah. Or Okay. Um I just I don't want to, you know. So, obviously animal control is coming for all the animals inside of live and dead, right? Um she's working with us. So, there's two there's two different ways this could have went. It's either you guys work with me, I get the consent, and it's nice and smooth and we deal with it. >> Mhm. >> Or no one's allowed in the house. I get a search warrant. We go that way. Obviously, no one wants to go that way. Right. It's not necessary, right? >> The animal control officer is going to come. She's going to take the dogs. She's going to transport them to the different animal hospitals cuz Matt Laurel is only capable of of handling four >> and whatever. So, she's going to figure that out. Then once she takes all those dogs to the animal hospital, she'll come back and take the deceased pets. >> Okay. The ones that are in the the two cages here. >> So she'll come back and take all that. In the meantime, I'm going to throw some gloves and a mask on. I'm going to I got to take my photos. You can be with me. Um >> Okay. Can I just I just have to pee. >> Yeah, you're good. Yeah, go ahead. Whatever you guys are being totally working with me. Yeah. Whatever you got to do, handle. Go pee. >> Okay. And then when I guess when I'm done, >> you get back up. Come take the photos. Yeah. I mean, I need to >> Yeah, you said that earlier. And do we have to do that paper or >> Yeah, we'll handle all that when you Okay. >> All right. Please show me. >> I'm not worried about it. Whatever you guys got to do. Um, you want to just hang out over there? >> Yeah. >> The officer finally entered the home and the site was beyond belief. It was a super nasty environment where living puppies were forced to breathe in the stench of their fallen kennel mates. She claimed there were maybe nine or 10 dogs total, but the chaos downstairs suggested a much higher number. The officer was remarkably calm for someone walking into a graveyard of pets. Are there any dead animals in the fridge? >> Huh? >> Are there any dead animals in the fridge? >> Oh, no. No, you can open that. By all means. >> No, no freezer. No. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Open. There's nothing in there. >> And then these guys here. I think that that one's bad. almost dead. >> Yeah, I think I think he's almost almost gone. And then there's these guys right here, TOO. Here you go. Follow him. Oh, these these are all dead. >> That was litter box. This is a cage. He's He passed. That is >> That one's deceased. >> That's what I just told you. There's one that was deceased in that one >> from That one was from Yeah. Parvo. And then and this one. Yes. The him I wasn't able to get out of the cage and that tote. Yes. >> Okay. And the one these these ones behind you. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if you got these, Dylan. >> Yeah. >> And then that one. These all have dead animals in them. >> Um truthfully, yeah. A lot of these are the puppies that perished from >> the beginning stages of parvo. >> Okay. These are all >> Yeah. >> And in here too. >> No, no, no. That's trash. >> OKAY. >> THAT'S BASIC TRASH. >> THAT'S CLOTHES. You can look in it. That's their clothes. >> Okay. Let's check on that. >> The home tour quickly turned stomach churning as they found cages filled with dogs that were almost gone. She pointed out bags and totes containing deceased puppies as if she were showing off old gym clothes. For her to talk about these dead animals like it was a standard Tuesday [music] was pure insanity. It was insane how casual she remained unbothered. >> They're all different types. There's like a German Shepherd. There's a dead German Shepherd. There's like pit bull mixes. And it's they're all different small York. They're all in cages, but the cages are filled with feces and urine and flies and maggots. And there's multiple dead dogs in cages that are decomposed. And there's there's maggots on the floor. >> You open that door. >> That was the the worst house I have been in so far, including all the dead body ones. It's that bad in there. How many um live dogs would you say? Two in the first kitchen. Two in the floor. Two more. Six. One upstairs. Seven. Minimum seven that I can think. >> What's that? >> At least seven that I can think. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I think >> probably more than that. That's probably 10. 10's the end. Yeah. Yeah. So, there's about 10. We want to say 10 live dogs. And when I tell you it's pro, it's probably what 30 30 dead dogs. Maybe even maybe even more cuz uh we didn't we didn't open anything. But there were some in trash bags in containers and bins and >> fully decomposed. >> Yeah. There's they're fully fully several fully decomposed dogs. Some half composed, some probably died recently. I mean, it ranges. The sheer volume of death was staggering [music] with an estimate of at least 30 deceased animals. It was absolutely vile to realize that these pets suffered in small kennels until their last breath while people lived right next to them. The situation escalated from a tragedy to a crime against humanity when it was revealed a 9-year-old child was living in this filth. The prosecutor didn't hesitate and ordered Rebecca's immediate arrest. >> All right, Rebecca, you're not going to like this. I'm going to be straight forward with you. After Monor pulled the dogs out, prosecutor told us to place you on arrest. All right, >> let's walk over there. >> All right. >> Where your son can't see. >> Yeah, please. in case he's looking out a window. >> Uh, he shouldn't be, but >> we'll go. Uh, >> he should be inside. >> Stand right here for right now. >> All right. So, just face the car. >> Yeah. Then actually grab your phone for me now so I don't have to. >> Can I power it off? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Whatever you want to do. >> And it'll come with us. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> I'm going to I'm going to cry like a baby. So I can have paper towels or something to wipe my face after. >> Yeah. Once we get back. Yeah. >> Okay. >> It's not as It's not as scary as you think it is. >> Well, no. I've never I've never been in trouble. I just It's okay. >> It's not as scary as you think it is. She's good. So, she'll search and all that. So, step back for me. >> I'm going to make this tire. All right. >> Yeah. Yeah. My should I That's my [ __ ] up shoulder. So, it's kind of hard to >> That way. Doesn't matter. >> It's fine. They're they're >> just this way. >> Back seat's clear. >> Is there a way to sit with them? You don't got Yeah, you don't got to buckle her in or nothing. An e bus is going to transport. >> It was heartbreaking to think a 9-year-old was living in such super nasty and unsafe conditions. [music] She tried to play the victim, but it was hard to feel any sympathy for her tears when 30 dogs didn't get a second chance. The officer tried to keep her son from seeing the handcuffs. [music] Now Brandon was the next one to feel the weight of the law. You got to be born again. >> All right. So, >> unfortunately, does he have someone he could stay with? Your son? >> My Yeah. My best friend, which is her cousin right next to her. >> Okay. Um cuz they do want me to place you under arrest as well for charges. Yeah. >> For what? >> For animal cruelty towards the animals. Now again, just cuz you're getting charged with it doesn't mean you're guilty. But at this moment, you you are going to be placed under arrest, taken back to the station, interview processed, and then from there either released or not released. All right. But you can smoke your cigarette, finish that, and then >> How does it That's what I don't understand. How does this What is my tie to this? I wasn't with the rescue. I know. >> Well, it's the fact you're living in a house with 30 dead dogs. >> I I don't know how many. >> That's what I like. And again, right, I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything. >> No, I know. >> You're correct. You're not with it, but that's something that you have to express in court. Not with me, right? I don't have a choice in the matter. >> Uh, but either way, it's happened. So, >> okay. Just let me see if he's home yet cuz that's why we're still here. I was just waiting for him to get home. Just let me make >> Can he watch until he gets home? I I just want to get the situation and then just call my father real quick and just let him know everything. >> Well, you can't call him unless he's getting your son. We'll let you call dad back at the station, but >> Carlos, can you have Shane come outside? Keby's going to come pick him up, please. >> He can take it with him. Keby's coming right now to pick him up. >> Can you have him come out? Keby's coming right now to get him. >> Thank you. >> Brandon tried to act confused, claiming he wasn't part of the rescue. The officer shut that down real quick. Living in a house with 30 dead dogs makes you part of the problem, whether you sign the rescue paperwork or not. He was given a moment to finish [music] his cigarette, a luxury, before being led away in shame. >> Thanks for everything, Carlos. >> 139's coming. >> Yep. We'll walk you over to the car over this way. We're going to wait. Someone else is going to transport you. I'm just going to pull you out of the eyesight of uh of your buddy there and then we'll go from there. >> Anything on you that's going to poke me, stick me, anything like that? >> Uh, no. I have a lollipop in my back pocket. >> Yeah. No, just like like no needles, knives. I know you work with tile and stuff. You're good. All right. I have a seat in here. >> Watch your head. Take 100. >> It was a nightmare scenario that proved if someone is willing to neglect animals until they die, they shouldn't be near humans either. The fact that a child survived in that environment is a miracle, [music] but the trauma will likely last a lifetime. These people deserve a permanent ban from ever owning another living creature or having children. Treat them with the same lack of care they showed those poor, defenseless dogs. >> [music] >> Rebecca and Brandon were both arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and multiple counts of animal cruelty. [music] Investigators found over 30 dead dogs inside with evidence suggesting up to 100 animals may have perished on the property over time. The [music] 14 surviving dogs along with several cats and rabbits were rescued. While the 9-year-old child was physically unharmed, the psychological impact of living amongst decomposing remains led to immediate removal by authorities. [music] Do you think a lifetime ban on owning animals is enough? Or should there be even harsher punishments [music] for this level of filth? It's hard to imagine how anyone could stand in that house and think it was a normal way to live. [music] Share your thoughts on this house of horrors in the comments below. Don't forget to hit like and subscribe for more real world case [music] breakdowns.