Keith and Shauna Morgan’s appeal hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, at 3 pm at the Ocean County Superior Court, 120 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ. Both will be heard by Judge James Blaney in Courtroom 17 and are open to the public. If you can attend the hearings please see the Facebook event for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/244300905742559/ Let’s continue to show our support for Sammy!
New Jersey
Congratulations Sammy’s Facebook Page! 34,000+ Sammy Strong!
Congratulations to Sammy’s Facebook page for reaching over 34,000 Sammy Strong Friends!
Please give a “LIKE” to the page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sammy-the-cocker-spaniel/552055094835446 if you haven’t done so already.
Thanks to Amy and Martin for keeping us updated on Sammy and his case, and to Sammy’s family for sharing pictures of Sammy with us.
You can also follow the case of Heaven, an abused pit bull puppy from Asbury Park NJ on Sammy’s Facebook page.
Appeal Update From Sammy’s Facebook Page
NOTE: The following is a re-post from Sammy’s Facebook page concerning the appeal
Everyone is asking about the appeal and what it means. I (Amy) have asked several sources and here is what I’ve gleaned so far. The Morgans will be filing the appeal in the Superior Court in Toms River, NJ. They have 20 days to file. After that, the judge normally takes 30-45 days to rule on the case. It’s possible that the appeal could be rejected on the spot and the Morgans would be remanded to jail; however that scenario would be unlikely. Martin and I will be in close contact with officials so we can bring you the latest news, let you know if there are any more public hearings, and if there is a way to help this process along whether it be a petition, a letter writing campaign or anything that would help. We promise we WILL not give up on this and will not rest until they are in jail or until we’ve done everything humanly possible to promote rejecting the appeal of Judge LePore’s sentence.
This is a precedent-setting case and we’ve come farther than ever dreamed possible. We’re not going to let it drop now!!!!
Thank you, Amy and Martin!!!!
Video of the Sentencing of Sammy’s Abusers Keith and Shauna Morgan
Appreciate the link to this video from Camp Cocker Rescue
Thank You Judge LePore, Prosecutor Steven Zabarsky and Friends of Sammy!
Prosecutor Steven Zabarsky: “A picture is worth more than a 1,000 words & we ask for Justice For Sammy”
On Monday November 18th 2013, Judge LePore and Prosecutor Steven Zabarsky were truly voices for Sammy. Prosecutor Zabarsky presented a solid, impassioned case on behalf of Sammy. A video of Keith Morgan was shown of him explaining how he “found” Sammy in a black trash bag on the side of the road and how he couldn’t understand how “anyone could be that cruel.” (Watch video of news montage at end of this post.) It was later discovered he and his wife Shauna Morgan were the owners of Sammy. Prosecutor Zabarsky ended his argument by holding up a large poster of Sammy and stating: “A picture is worth more than a 1,000 words and we ask for Justice For Sammy.”
In so many animal cruelty cases , the abusers are not dealt with justly and receive just fines, community service and probation ( i.e. the case of Patrick http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2013/08/kisha_curtis_patrick_the_pit_bulls_former_owner_spared_jail_time_in_animal_cruelty_case.html ) but Judge LePore sent out a strong message addressing the seriousness of animal abuse when he said:
“This court believes that a message needs to be sent not just to these defendants, but to all of society that animal cruelty is a national and global problem and must be addressed and deterred.”
Other quotes from Judge LePore:
- “Unless the defendants are sentenced to imprisonment for their depraved acts toward Sammy, they will not be deterred.”
- “Any one capable of treating their pet the way you did is despicable.”
- “Unless these individuals are imprisoned for their depraved, cruel and heinous conduct, such acts of animal cruelty will continue worldwide,” LePore said. “The lack of care provided to Sammy was inexcusable.”
** Watch the video of the sentencing of Keith and Shauna Morgan**
Judge LePore’s sentencing of the Morgans includes: a $1,000 fine, $13,500 in restitution to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital who cared for Sammy, 30 days community service, they are prohibited from future ownership of an animal and six months in jail.
Photo Courtesy of Sammy’s Facebook Page
Thank You Judge LePore, Prosecutor Zabarsky, , Monmouth County SPCA Chief Victor “Buddy” Amato, Detective William Hyer and Deputy Chief Larry Donato who investigated the case, Capt. Richard Yocum, president of the state SPCA, Martin Mondoker and Amy Tiernan Ulness, administrators of Sammy’s Facebook page, and ALL of Sammy’s wonderful caring friends who supported Sammy online and at the court house. You are ALL SAMMY’S VOICE!
Just some of Sammy’s Army at the court house on Monday’s sentencing of Keith and Shauna Morgan. Photo: D. De Santis
Hopefully Judge LePore’s sentencing of these two individuals will set a precedent in other animal cruelty cases – Abuse An Animal – GO TO JAIL!
If you would like to send a Thank You note to Judge LePore and Prosecutor Zabarsky:
Honorable Robert M. LePore
Brick Municipal Court
401 Chambers Bridge Road
Brick NJ 08723
Brick Municipal Prosecutor Steven A. Zabarsky
Brick Municipal Court
401 Chambers Bridge Road
Brick NJ 08723
For more information on Monday’s sentencing and photos see this article: http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2013/11/brick_couple_sentenced_to_6_months_in_jail_for_abusing_dog_sammy.html
Brick couple sentenced to 6 months in jail for abusing dog, Sammy
PHOTO: Prosecutor Steven Zabarsky making his case for the maximum sentence for the Morgans to Judge Robert LePore. Ashley Peskoe/NJ.com
By Ashley Peskoe/NJ.com
November 18, 2013 at 6:48 PM, updated November 18, 2013 at 8:38 PM
BRICK – The township couple that admitted to abusing a 17-year-old dog named Sammy was sentenced to six months in jail on Monday.
Brick residents Keith Morgan, 56, and Shauna Ewing Morgan, 43, stood in silence next to each other and between their respective attorneys while the sentence was read. The sentence also included a $1,000 fine, $13,500 in restitution, 30 days community service and the couple is prohibited from future ownership of an animal.
“This is what we wanted, this is what was deserved and it was justified,” Monmouth County SPCA Chief Victor “Buddy” Amato said. “This judge did the right thing.”
A packed courtroom erupted in cheers when Judge Robert LePore announced jail time for the couple.
“Unless these individuals are imprisoned for their depraved, cruel and heinous conduct, such acts of animal cruelty will continue worldwide,” LePore said. “The lack of care provided to Sammy was inexcusable.”
LePore said the sentence he issued was to deter future animal cruelty.
“This court believes that a message needs to be sent not just to these defendants, but to all of society that animal cruelty is a national and global problem and must be addressed and deterred,” LePore said.
The charges stem from a March incident when Keith Morgan brought the Cocker Spaniel to the Associated Humane Society in Tinton Falls, claiming he found Sammy in a garbage bag on the side of the road, Amato said.
Keith Morgan gave an interview to a local television station after he turned the dog in, claiming he found the dog. That interview was played in court during the sentencing.
However, officials said they later learned that the couple had owned the dog for at least nine years.
Sammy was then brought to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital for treatment because he was malnourished and his fur was covered in urine and matted together in knots to the extent that the dog could not stand up, Amato said. He was released to a foster family in April.
Days after Sammy was turned in, authorities learned through an anonymous tip that the Morgans had a second dog, named Ady, at their home.
Amato said that because Ady had been groomed before they found her, authorities they were unable to determine if she was neglected. The 3-year-old Cocker Spaniel was voluntarily surrendered to the SPCA and eventually placed in a new home.
Before LePore issued the sentencing, both of the Morgans made a statement to the judge, apologizing.
“I was in a bad time in my life. I was depressed … because my wife left,” Keith Morgan said. “I apologize, I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
He and his attorney Kevin Sheehy told the judge that Shauna Morgan wasn’t at the home for several months before the incident because the two were separated. Keith Morgan had also been diagnosed with a kidney disease and at one point was suicidal, Sheehy said.
Shauna Morgan’s attorney, Marc Schram, told the judge the couple did not have any contact during their separation, and found the conditions at the home when she returned.
“I should have foreseen that Sammy wouldn’t have been safe with my husband, but I didn’t know he was going to get so sick. … If I had foreseen it I would have taken Sammy with me,” she said through tears. “I’m sorry it turned out the way it did.”
Shauna also thanked the family that adopted Sammy, who Amato later said was present in the courtroom. However, he would not identify who they were.
Attorney Steven Zabarsky prosecuted the case and he said he was happy with the outcome.
“On behalf of the state, I’m very satisfied,” Zarbarsky said.
Sammy’s case garnered international attention and a Facebook page was created in support of the dog. An online petition calling on prosecutors to ask for the maximum sentence for the Brick couple received nearly 33,000 signatures.
The Morgans were arraigned on May 20, with more than 250 people packing the Brick municipal courtroom to watch. A line stretched out the door of the courthouse with supporters wearing t-shirts and holding signs demanding justice.
During a July 15 hearing, which also drew approximately 150 Sammy supporters, a Staten Island, N.Y. woman yelled out “Go kill yourself” and was escorted out of the courtroom.
Ultimately the Morgans reached a plea agreement on Aug. 19, and Amato called the outcome a “win.” Keith Morgan pleaded guilty to one count of abuse of animal cruelty and filing a false report with law enforcement, while Shauna Ewing Morgan admitted to two counts of animal cruelty.
The eight-month case also stirred debates surrounding animal abuse. In May, N.J. 101.5 radio hosts Dennis Malloy, Judi Franco and Ray Rossi were under fire after they brought the case up on their respective shows.
Social media posts claimed Malloy and Franco said animal rights activists needed to get their priorities straight, while Rossi allegedly said “untrue” and “hurtful” statements on air about one of the administrators of the Sammy the Cocker Spaniel Facebook page.
New Jersey 101.5, however, released a statement saying the online commentary were “dislocated from the facts.”
After the Morgans admitted to the animal cruelty charges Sammy was formally adopted by his foster family, who has at least four Cocker Spaniels living at the home.
Capt. Richard Yocum, who is president of the state SPCA, said he was proud of Detective William Hyer and Deputy Chief Larry Donato, who investigated the case and of the ruling that was made.
“The stand that they [the court] have taken against animal cruelty being unacceptable tonight was admirable,” Yocum said. “Sammy does have a loving home, he’s doing much, much better and he’s living out his life in a very good place.”
After the sentence, both of the Morgans’ attorneys said they would be filing an appeal Tuesday morning. The judge granted a motion for a stay to allow the Morgans to remain free for the appeal process.
Several police officers escorted the Morgans out of the courtroom, while the crowd was asked to remain until they left. Keith Morgan placed his hand on his wife’s back as they were lead out the door.
From Sammy’s Facebook Page
Posted today on Sammy’s Facebook page by Amy
Tomorrow is the final chapter. We sincerely hope justice is done in this case. Martin and I (Amy) thank each and every person who has been with us on this journey, the mission for Justice for Sammy!! And not only our dear Sammy, but so many, many, many other abused animals too.
I will be sending out information from the hearing tomorrow. We hear it will also be live streaming and we’ll provide the address as soon as we figure that out.
Thanks again everyone–look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow and to hearing from you from afar.
Xo!!! Love and peace, Sammy the cocker spaniel
Sentencing of Sammy’s Abusers TOMORROW!!
By Janet Rombough O’Neil and Courtesy of Sammy’s Facebook page.
Another lovely painting of Sammy from Janet Rombough O’Neil expressing Sammy’s innocence and sweetness.
Janet’s accompanying caption: NOVEMBER 18, 2013. I beg the judge to render the only verdict that should be mandated in Sammy’s case, in that the felons are prosecuted to the maximum penalty of the law.
NOTE: We will be meeting at the Brick Township Municipal Court House TOMORROW to support Sammy. Please see the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/509214619156169/
Brick Couple Who Abused ‘Sammy’ The Dog to be Sentenced
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. “
“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.”
JOIN US TOMORROW ~ MONDAY NOV. 18th @ the Brick Municipal Courthouse at 4pm. See the Facebook event page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/509214619156169/
New Picture & Note From Sammy!
Hi everybody.
This picture was taken this past Thursday. Thanks for all your kind thoughts. Feeling well. Most of all I’m happy and safe and love my family. Let’s work and pray for an end to all abuse of innocent and helpless animals. See you on Monday in Brick.
Love and Prayers, Sammy
JOIN US MONDAY NOV. 18th @ the Brick Municipal Courthouse at 4pm. See the Facebook event page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/509214619156169/
Justice For Sammy 