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Case ID: 13574

Classification: Hoarding, Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull)

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Animals abandoned in home, dozens dead
Barnegat, NJ (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Apr 7, 2008
County: Ocean

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 7 files available

Alleged:
» Matt Teymant
» Amanda Teymant

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Tom Yanisko says the horrific scene he encountered Monday - witnessing the decomposed bodies of at least 50 long-dead animals, abandoned and left without food or water by their owner - will stay with him for a while.

Dogs, turtles, gerbils, hamsters "and a multitude of cats" had already been devoured by maggots, flies and larvae when police and animal rescue workers entered the small blue house Monday evening at 21 Potomac Court, Yanisko said.

Police are searching for the home's occupants. Neighbors said the home had been vacant for at least six months. Criminal charges could be filed, police said. No names of suspects were released.

Residents said the area was plagued by crime and drug activity and that, as a consequence, people didn't ask many questions and kept to themselves.

A neighbor, Sharon Anderson, 56, said she called police Friday because the home had been dark and vacant for a long time. Police said a representative from the Fannie Mae mortgage company came to foreclose on the house Monday morning and that's when the dead animals were discovered.

Neighbors said they remembered big German shepherds that barked loudly at passers-by.

Yanisko said rescue workers found cages that once housed large dogs but now contained nothing but fur and bones.

"They were stuck in these cages, and they couldn't even have a chance to run to a dripping sink or anything like that," said Yanisko, a veteran officer with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"You can just visualize the way these animals ultimately died," said Yanisko. "The horror they must have gone through just wasting away and not being able to get anything to drink or eat. They just dropped in the house, wherever they happened to be, when they didn't have any more energy to get up and move. That's the way that we found them."

SPCA workers said they did not know if the animals were pets or were being bred to be sold.

Property records show that Matthew and Amanda Teymant purchased the house for $141,000 in October 2006. Matthew Teymant was registered to vote in Evesham last year.

Teymant is a dispatcher for the Toms River Police Department, and investigators were in contact with him Monday night, Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said. Teymant's father is a retired K-9 unit police officer, the chief added.

A telephone in Teymant's name was temporarily disconnected. They could not be reached.

SPCA spokesman Matt Stanton said the animals probably had been dead for at least 60 days.

Neighbors huddled against the cold, children rode scooters, others laughed and played in the street while police waited nearly seven hours for a search warrant before finally entering the home at about 6 p.m. Monday.

"It was a disturbing scene in there," said Barnegat Police Chief Arthur Drexler. "Anywhere from 50 to 100 animals" were found inside "in varying degrees of composition," he said.

"Some were in cages. Some weren't," Drexler said.

Drexler said the incident reminded him of another during the 1980s when police found about 60 animals in a property on First Street after the homeowner had died.

No human remains were in the house on Potomac Court, Drexler said.

Drexler did not know the last time the animals were cared for.

"We don't know if they were just abandoned in a cruel manner," Drexler said.

The last residents abandoned a brown Ford Crown Victoria, which sat in front of the home for six months and had a flat right rear tire.

"I really don't bother with anyone around here," said Janet Zermane, 37.

"It's unbelievable," said David Wohl, 47, who lives across the street from where the animals were found.

"There's always a lot of police activity," said Wohl. "There's a lot of renters in the area who go in and out. There's not much neighborhood spirit of any kind. It's a very difficult neighborhood because police are always here chasing the drug activity and the other no-goodniks."

The animal remains are being sent to a veterinarian, where they will be tested and cataloged, said Yanisko.

"This is going to be one we'll remember for a while," said Yanisko. "What or who could allow this to occur? It really puzzles you. This one's going to be hard to figure out."

Case Updates

An animal-welfare expert said Wednesday that Matthew Teymant's behavior suggests he was hoarding animals at his home before being forced to move - leaving 64 animals behind to die - when his mortgage lender foreclosed on his property in June.

The Humane Society of the United States defines an animal hoarder as a person who has more animals than he can properly care for. Other defining characteristics are the hoarder's denial of his inability to care for the animals and his failure to grasp the effect his neglect has on the animals, the household and the human occupants of the dwelling.

Unlike collecting stamps or antiques, animal hoarding is no hobby, the HSUS said, adding that hoarding is often a symptom of a more serious mental illness that goes undetected because animal hoarders quite often appear to lead normal lives.

Teymant worked as a police dispatcher for Toms River and was an emergency medical technician with the Toms River Emergency Medical Squad. He is on administrative paid leave from his police dispatching position as a result of his arrest, according to Toms River police Chief Michael Mastronardy, who added that the Police Department is conducting its own investigation into the incident.

"With hoarding you will find correlations with people who are in care-giving professions. You will find nurses who do this, there's a link somewhere, and these people start doing it with the best of intentions," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach with HSUS. "This is the first case I have heard of where hoarding is coupled with this foreclosure situation, so this is a doubly difficult situation."

Animal advocates say the growing number of foreclosures is creating more victims than just the homeowners. The HSUS said Wednesday that a growing number of homeowners who lose their homes to foreclosure are simply leaving their pets behind.

Pet owners may feel financially unable to care for their pets or are overwhelmed by a sudden move - but there are many alternatives to leaving pets behind, according to the HSUS.

Teymant, 29, who was arrested Tuesday at his parents' home in Toms River and charged with third-degree animal cruelty, did not look for an alternative, authorities said, adding that his wife, Amanda, also was charged. The couple posted $25,000 bail each Tuesday.

Matt Stanton, spokesman for the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said Teymant told authorities during an interrogation this week that he was trying to run a rescue operation out of his home. The animals found dead included dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets and turtles, SPCA Sgt. Thomas Yanisko said. No animal was found alive and all were in various stages of decomposition, Yanisko said.

"We don't have national numbers, but people who abandon animals is not unique to this foreclosure crisis, although we have been seeing an increase of animals left in homes and animals brought to shelters," Shain said.

According to a report by the U.S. Conference for Mayors, home values could continue to drop by $1.2 trillion in 2008, creating far-reaching economic hardship and a likely recession. Many cities already have been hit hard by the collapse of the subprime market, with thousands of homes being abandoned.

Bank employees and other lenders who enter these homes are often required to leave property - including pets - untouched until legal proceedings are complete. As a result, pets are not receiving the care they need.

Many pets trapped inside abandoned homes are not discovered until they are on the brink of starvation, and those lucky enough to reach a shelter have about a 50 percent chance of being adopted, according to the HSUS.

"It is a slow, scary death. We've gone into situations like this and we find they will eat anything, like dogs eating wallboard, wood, anything they can eat to stay alive," Shain said.

Teymant's friends described him as an animal lover and a former member of the 4-H Club, according to authorities. Neighbor Sharon Anderson said Monday there had been no activity at the Teymants' home for about seven months.

Shain said the HSUS urges all pet owners faced with foreclosure to take their pets with them when they relocate.

"Abandoning pets, for any reason, is not only irresponsible, it is illegal," Shain said. "It's an emotional thing, they are already in crisis and in a tough spot, but it doesn't make it OK. Taking the animal to a shelter is overwhelming and embarrassing, but it's the owner's responsibility."

Steven Dash, director of the Humane Society of Atlantic County, said there is a difference between bringing an animal to a shelter and walking away from a home.

"Before we were seeing people surrendering animals because they were moving, and now they're saying it's because they're losing their homes," Dash said, adding that there has been a spike in recent weeks.

"If I was asked two weeks ago if there was an increase in surrendered animals, I would have said no. But we have now seen an increase," Dash said.

Shain said homeowners should give themselves enough time to prepare and find pet-friendly housing if they are faced with foreclosure.

Source: Press of Atlantic City - April 10, 2008
Update posted on Apr 10, 2008 - 2:06PM

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The explanation from an Ocean County man as to why 64 dead animals were found in his home was that he was running a rescue operation, authorities said Tuesday.

Matthew Teymant, 29, was arrested Tuesday morning at his parents' home in Toms River on animal cruelty charges, authorities said.

Yesterday, po-lice made the gruesome discovery of dozens of dead animals at a township home on Potomac Court that was last owned by Matthew and Amanda Tey-mant.

Matthew Teymant, a Toms River police dispatcher, posted $25,000 bail Tuesday evening after being held in the Ocean County jail, Toms River on Tuesday, according to Matt Stanton, spokesman for the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or SPCA.

Matthew Teymant was interviewed at Barnegat police headquarters. He and his wife, Amanda, were charged with third-degree animal cruelty.

Amanda Teymant turned herself in at the Toms River Police Department and was released after posting bond.

SPCA Sgt. Thomas Yanisko said Tuesday the 64 dead animals found in the home included dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs and turtles, all in different stages of decomposition.

Stanton said Tuesday evening one of the animals that was found dead was a German shepherd. The dog's bones were found in a box, Stanton said.

"During an interrogation, Matthew Teymant basically said they were ...(rescuing) ... and adopting them out," Stanton said. "This is your typical case of a person who thinks they are a rescue operation and tries to do the right thing and goes crazy."

Stanton said police raised the question to Matthew Teymant that if he thought things were getting out of control, why did he not ask for help.

"He said he was scared," Stanton said.

Perhaps he was scared of his father who is a retired K-9 police officer, Stanton said.

According to Matthew Teymant's version of events, a sewer problem in the house had caused the deaths of some of the animals, Stanton said.

"But he kept flip-flopping as to whether it was some of the animals or all of the animals. After that, he said they left the house and moved in with his parents," Stanton said.

Stanton said police also interviewed friends of Matthew Teymant who referred to him as an animal lover and said they were shocked - this same man is also an emergency medical technician and 4-H (a youth organization) member.

"We would like to see jail time, but it's really the judge and the prosecutor's call. We will make a recommendation for it, but it will depend on his record and other factors," Stanton said.

A representative of a mortgage company was changing the locks on the home Monday morning and discovered the dead animals inside, police said.

Neighbor Sharon Anderson called police on Friday about the home where, she said, there had been no activity for about seven months.

Workers from the SPCA worked into the night Monday removing dozens of dead animals, many still in cages.

Ocean County public records include notice of foreclosure on the property through Countrywide Home Loans on June 14, 2007.

A woman who answered the door Tuesday evening at the home of Matthew Teymant's parents in Toms River said she did not want to make a statement.

Source: Press of Atlantic City - April 9, 2008
Update posted on Apr 10, 2008 - 2:05PM

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Township police have charged Matthew and Amanda Teymant, owners of the house at 21 Potomac Court where the bodies of 64 dead animal were found, with animal cruelty.

At about 8:30 p.m. Monday, SPCA Sgt. Thomas Yanisko reported that 64 animals were found dead throughout the home, according to Barnegat police. Of the animals found, there was positive identification made of dogs, cats, turtles, and guinea pigs, police said.

Matthew Teymant, who is a Toms River dispatcher, was interviewed at Barnegat police headquarters, and as a result of the interview , both Matthew and his wife Amanda were charged with animal cruelty, a third degree crime, police said.

Bail was set at $25,000.00 bail for each. Matthew Teymant was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of bail. Amanda Teymant turned herself in at the Toms River police dept. and was released after posting bond.

Sgt Yanisko of the SPCA is the arresting officer and signed the charges against both parties.

Cats, dogs, ferrets and guinea pigs were among the dead animals found when the Fannie Mae mortgage company came to foreclose on the vacant house said Barnegat Police Chief Arthur Drexler.

"It was a disturbing scene in there," said Drexler, "anywhere from 50 to 100 animals" were found inside "in varying degrees of composition."

"Some were in cages. Some weren't," Drexler said.

Representatives from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and animal control officers from Popcorn Park Zoo, Lacey, are on the scene and preparing to enter and clean the house.

Property records show that Matthew and Amanda Teymant purchased the house for $141,000 in October 2006.

Police said they don't know who last lived in the home. A telephone in Teymant's name was disconnected.

Drexler said the incident reminded him of another during the 1980s when police found about 60 animals in a property where the homeowner had died.

No human remains where in the house, Drexler said.

Drexler did not know the last time the animals were cared for.

"We don't know if they were just abandoned in a cruel manner," Drexler said.

Neighbors said that the house had been abandoned for about six months and the last residents abandoned a brown Crown Victoria, which had a flat right rear tire.

"I really don't bother with anyone around here," said Janet Zermane, 37.

"It's unbelievable," said David Wohl, 47, who lives across the street from where the animals were found.

"There's always a lot of police activity," said Wohl. "There's a lot of renters in the area who go in and out. There's not much neighborhood spirit of any kind. It's a very difficult neighborhood because police are always here chasing the drug activity and the other no-goodnicks."

Source: Asbury Park Press - April 8, 2008
Update posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 11:48AM

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Preliminary research suggests that Matt Teymant owned and operated a hedgehog rescue and breeding operation called Forever Blue Monday Hedgehogs & Rescue. According to an online advertisement:

"Forever Blue Monday Hedgehogs & Rescue is a small-medium sized breeder located in central/southern NJ. I am the Rescue Coordinator, Provisional Judge and Member/Breeder with the International Hedgehog Association. I have a variety of colors and breed for health and temperament. We have hedgehogs available for sale and adoption throughout the year. Contact Matthew Teymant by Phone: (xxx) xxx-xxxor (xxx) xxx-xxxx OR by Email: [redacted]"

Update posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 12:26AM

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References

Asbury Park Press - April 8, 2008
Asbury Park Press - April 8, 2008
Press of Atlantic City - April 8, 2008
The Philadelphia Inquirer - April 8, 2008
Courier Post Online - April 8, 2008

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Animals abandoned in home, dozens deadBarnegat, NJ (US)

Case Updates

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Animals abandoned in home, dozens dead
Barnegat, NJ (US)