I've read that Mr. Dowgin, serving as municipal judge in South Brunswick, heard the animal cruelty case against Michal and Richard Cielecz, the former directors of the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter. These two animal murderers have been had the luxury of leading their lives for the last two years hoping that their lawyer could get them the best possible outcome for the crimes they committed against the animals they were charged to care for. Many of us who followed this case and knew first hand of the atrocities they committed are appalled at the outcome of this case. It stunk from the time the County prosecutor turned it back to municipal court probably because his assistant prosecutor was a personal friend of Michal Cielecz. They weren't even required to appear in court to face charges and Judge Dowgin dismissed the most serious charges. Then he had the audacity to seal the records pertaining to this case. That in itself is telling. Well guess what...there are many people who know, first hand, of the cruelty they inflicted on these animals including allowing municipal workers to euthanize animals. There were many witnesses to their crimes and no one was summoned to appear in court. On the day of the NJSPCA raid, that night several individuals with veterinary experience were allowed in to care for the animals. The dog kennels were filthy and the cats had not been fed or given water in at least two days. They were sitting in dirty dog water bowls that they used for litter boxes because the Cielecz's didn't see a need to provide real ones. Kittens were hours away from death because the Cielecz's didn't provide care. Cats that escaped cages were loose in the isolation room because they couldn't be bothered to catch them. Sick cats were housed in the same room as well ones and there was ZERO isolation protocol followed. This was a sham operation run by these two in conjunction with a mayor who only wanted this "shelter" as a cash cow. Sorry Judge Dowgin, but you, as a judge, is the reason why animal cruelty continues in the State of NJ. You, Sir, failed in your civic duty to punish these animal murderers. Maybe if you heard this case properly, with the witnesses who knew what really went on in that hell hole, the Cielecz's would be punished as they should have been instead of getting away with their crimes. read more