Woman whose home had 300 dead animals is sentenced

A state Superior Court judge in Monmouth County sentenced 56-year-old Gretchen Rell on Friday to five years of probation and 30 days of community service. More than 300 birds, turtles, opossums and other mammals were found in her home earlier this year.

Rell, of Little Silver, is also barred from caring for animals during her probation term and must comply with recommendations from a psychiatric evaluation.

Authorities say that between January 2013 and March 2014, Rell brought animals to her home for temporary rehabilitation, but the animals died of starvation and dehydration. Several were found in their original crates.

Rell's attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.