Hoarding approximately 50 dogs Voorhees, NJ (US) Date: Jul 24, 2004 Disposition: Convicted Case Images: 9 files available Abuser/Suspect: John Mariner

Case ID: 2740 Classification: Hoarding Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in NJ (US) Login to Watch this Case

John Mariner, 59, of the first block of Dutchtown Road, pleaded guilty on Sept 15, 2004 to failing to care for about 50 dogs kept at his house and was prohibited by a municipal judge from ever owning animals in the state.  Mariner was also was ordered to allow inspections of his property with 48 hours' notice. Other penalties - a $1,000 fine and 30 days of community service - were suspended.

Mariner kept mixed-breed beagles inside his house and in a makeshift pen outside. Some were underfed and had skin problems, Lyme disease and heartworm, authorities said. Others were found in a pen filled with feces. The animals were removed July 24.

"I want to apologize for all the problems I caused," Mariner told Judge Michael Diamond.

At least 47 counts of animal cruelty were lodged against Mariner, said prosecutor Michael Greenblatt.

Mariner was ordered by the court to cooperate with authorities; the SPCA; and Main Line Rescue, a Montgomery County, Pa., shelter, that has taken in at least 34 dogs. About six have been placed in new homes.

The shelter is seeking to capture two other dogs still wandering around Mariner's ranch-style house and wants to remove cats living in an abandoned truck on the property.

Diamond ordered the truck removed by Sept. 30 and gave Mariner 30 days to clean up other debris on his property.

Noting the neglect of animals at the house, the judge also warned Mariner that further violations would leave him open to sentencing on new offenses as well as the current ones.

Diamond told the Voorhees man he could have been liable for much greater penalties. "You could have been charged with the investigative costs," he said. "You saved $10,000."

John Micklewright of the SPCA and William Smith of Main Line Rescue inspected Mariner's property and found the dogs in poor health and living in filthy conditions.

Smith said one dog had a collar embedded in its neck. It and some others that lost their fur have been adopted.

"The number of dogs in our clinic doubled when we took these dogs in," Smith said. "I don't want him [Mariner] to ever have another animal in any state ever again."

For more information about pet adoptions, contact Main Line Rescue at 610-337-9225.  To make a donation to Main Line Rescue, or to read more about the animals, go to the