A Pennsylvania couple is facing multiple charges after authorities found a teenage boy and 77 unkempt animals living in their filthy home.
Humane officers and police executed a search warrant at a Westmoreland County home linked to James Chaney, 52, and Kathleen Chaney, 59, on Aug. 14, the Penn-Trafford Star reported, citing court documents.
Authorities – accompanied by caseworkers from the county’s children’s bureau – found a 14-year-old boy in the home along with 46 dogs and 23 cats, the outlet said.
There were also five guinea pigs, a chinchilla, and a fox at the scene.
Kathleen Chaney was at work when police served the warrant, and refused to come home, the papers said – although she acknowledged that the teenager was her and James’ son and that they cared for animals.
There was a foul smell of feces, urine, and sewage coming from the home, and feces covered the basement and first floor, the report continued, citing a criminal complaint filed last week.
Authorities found a teenage boy and 77 animals collapsed in a dilapidated house full of sewage. WPXI
The rooms of the condemned residence were also covered in mold and cobwebs, and the smell of ammonia made it difficult for investigators to inspect the property.
“The particular conditions inside the residence were the worst I have experienced in my 15 years as a law enforcement officer and over 20 years as a first responder,” Penn Township Sgt. Robert Broome wrote in court papers, according to the Star.
“It is clear this condition has been in the residence for a long period of time,” he added.
The inside of the house was smeared with feces and other filth, and the house had no running water. WPXI
Authorities were alerted to the scene by neighbor Bill Monstrola, Channel 11 reported.
“It’s always a pretty sad situation. They often leave the animals they have outside, in conditions like this with sub-zero weather,” Monstrola told the outlet.
“Short chains, no water, no beds,” he lamented.
There are over 40 dogs on the property. WPXI
The house had no running water, Bintang said.
All dogs and cats have fleas and worms, and some have serious injuries, infections, overgrown nails, and eye ulcers, among other conditions, Star said.
One dog suffered a ruptured uterus, while another had a needle stuck in its stomach, court papers read.
Several rescued cats had to have their teeth pulled due to stomatitis, and another suffered a pelvic fracture that did not heal well due to lack of treatment.
Some neglected cats had to have their teeth pulled. WPXI
One of the cats died in surgery after the rescue, Star added.
In addition to the animals still alive, the authorities also found a dog, a bird, a snake, and four dead chickens at the scene.
“There are animals in every nook and cranny of the house. Cages inside, outside, tied to dog crates,” animal rescuer Jen Johnson told Channel 11 in August.
The home was condemned after authorities served a search warrant in August. WPXI
Months after the raid, five of the rescued dogs and nine rescued cats are still available for adoption, while four more cats are still receiving medical treatment, the outlet said.
Last week, James and Kathleen were both indicted on 22 counts, including endangering the welfare of children and animal abuse and neglect, the Penn-Trafford Star reported.
They have not been arraigned, according to court records.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
