Animal Abuse Suspects' Court Date Delayed

The Brick couple accused of abusing a cocker spaniel, then claiming they found it on the side of the road before handing it over to a shelter, will not appear in court today as originally scheduled.

A Brick Township municipal court official said court appearances for Keith and Shauna Morgan had been "relisted" for a date in May. Township officials later said the court date had been moved to May 6 at 4 p.m.

No reason was given for why the case had been relisted. A call to Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — the agency investigating the case — was not returned.

In a social media post, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital said Sammy — the Morgans' former dog which is being treated there — is doing better and has started wagging his tail.

"Today, Sammy is eating and drinking, and walking a little stronger," the post said. "He even wagged his tail!!!"

Members of the public have sent toys, beds, blankets, cookies, cards and money, the hospital said. Sammy was pictured in the middle of a host of stuffed animals Tuesday in a photo released by the veterinary hospital.

The Morgans, of Sawmill Road, are accused of turning Sammy, whose original name was Samurai, over to authorities encapsulated in his own overgrown fur, unable to move, and suffering from burns from feces and urine. Authorities say they lied to police and claimed they found the dog on the side of Belmar Boulevard in Wall.

A second cocker spaniel was taken out of the Morgans' home voluntarily last week.