Police in Asbury Park weren’t even there looking for puppies in trouble. They were at a home in the Dark City on something entirely unrelated.

Ten little puppies are likely very happy they were.

In the area around Springwood and Dewitt avenues, authorities heard the pained, desperate crying of the newborns. They got the Monmouth County SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Division involved.

What they found was a horror show, according to reports.

Police say trapped in one tiny room were 10 newborn puppies with their mother in deplorable condition. The room was 90 degrees and it was covered in urine and feces, according to authorities.

SPCA officials told nj.com the puppies had resorted to eating pieces of a mattress and consuming various debris due to a lack of food and water.

Officials say many of the puppies needed immediate medical care and were severely, dangerously dehydrated. The SPCA also reported some had intestinal parasites.

“We intend to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” the animal welfare organization said in a statement. If you know anything please do the right thing and call 732-440-1539.

Once these dogs are cleared medically they will need to be fostered. If interested drop an email to fostering@monmouthcountyspca.org.

Unfortunately, the “fullest extent of the law” never brings enough jail time. Just my opinion, that while animals are not human and we need not exalt them to such status, they are still intelligent, living creatures that feel pain, fear and abandonment. Imagine these were 6-month-old human children. Picture the same conditions. No one would then think this person shouldn’t spend decades in prison.

Yes, the responsible party should face the fullest extent of the law. And we should also re-examine animal cruelty laws and punishments to the fullest extent of the legislature.

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski. Any opinions expressed are Jeff Deminski's own.

NJ teachers and educators caught in sex crime busts

Over the past few years, state lawmakers have taken on the challenge of dealing with accused child predators among the ranks of teachers and educators.

In 2018, the so-called “pass the trash” law went into effect, requiring stricter New Jersey school background checks related to child abuse and sexual misconduct.

The follow individuals were arrested over the past several years. Some have been convicted and sentenced to prison, while others have accepted plea deals for probation.

Others cases are still pending, including some court delays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

NJ arrests 31 accused child predators in "Operation 24/7"

A roundup of 31 men have been accused of sexually exploiting children online, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced on July 14 while detailing "Operation 24/7."

The suspects “possessed and or distributed videos and images of child sexual abuse, including in many cases videos of young children being raped by adults,” Grewal said.

Chat apps and gaming platforms remain favorite hunting grounds for child predators and even as the pandemic winds down, many children have continued to spend more time online.

State Police received 39% more tips in just the first 6 months of 2021 than they received in the entire year in 2019. The following are suspects charged in "Operation 24/7."

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