A Mercer County health officer and the former head of a town animal shelter are facing animal cruelty charges.

Prosecutors say between 2016 and 2018, hundreds of cats and dogs were illegally euthanized at the Hamilton Animal Shelter before they were held or offered up for adoption.

Jeffrey Plunkett, the town's health director, and Todd Bencivengo, the former supervisor of the animal shelter, are facing charges.