Kingston Township police and a Humane Society police officer investigating a report of abandoned animals in September encountered the "smell of death" at a Shavertown home, finding seven dog carcasses along with emaciated canines living in filth among garbage, feces and insects, court documents allege.
Police on Friday accused Karen A. Reilly, 50, of 55 Heisz St., Edwardsville, of abandoning 19 dogs after she was evicted from her mobile home earlier in September. She is charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, 19 summary counts of cruelty to animals and 19 counts of failing to have her dogs vaccinated against rabies.
Reilly declined to comment as she rushed to her car after an arraignment Friday morning.
A complaint filed by Kingston Township police and the Humane Society alleges Reilly did "torture and kill" seven dogs by failing to feed them and provide them with water. Five other dogs were severely emaciated and dehydrated when officers searched her property at 5 Echo Valley Drive on Sept. 27, the complaint alleges.
Kingston Township police say Reilly was evicted from the mobile home at the Echo Valley Estates mobile home park on Harris Hill Road earlier in September and left behind 19 dogs. When officers were dispatched to the trailer to a report of abandoned animals, they encountered the "smell of death," according to a police affidavit.
Investigators noted the strong smell of urine, feces and rotting flesh inside the trailer, which was infested with maggots, flies, fleas and other insects, according to police.
Several of the dogs present were lethargic and emaciated, with "very little flesh on their bodies," the affidavit says. Some of the dogs had matted hair and all were flea-infested and dehydrated, police said.
Police say one dog escaped while they were removing animals from the mobile home, but officers brought 11 dogs to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter. Another four carcasses were removed from the home that day, and three more were recovered several days later.
Police described them as "basically pelts covering bones. Most of the flesh was gone."
The animals were examined, provided food and water, and taken to Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital for treatment.
The next day, investigators contacted Reilly, who signed away ownership of the 12 dogs, including the one that escaped, which was trapped the next day and brought to the SPCA. The affidavit says Reilly admitted none of the dogs was vaccinated.
The dogs "gained significant weight and were improving" after three days, according to police.
SPCA shelter manager Cindy Stark said the dogs have recovered well physically, and 10 of them have been adopted. The other two are with a foster family and are still recovering from emotional and socialization issues, she said.
"Most rebounded quickly. They were not very social dogs. Some of them were very timid," Stark said. "We found adopters that were patient, they knew they had to put some extra work into some of these dogs, and they've done it. They've all come around very nicely with the exception of these two that are still incredibly introverted."
Magisterial District Judge James E. Tupper arraigned Reilly on the charges Friday morning. He released her on $10,000 unsecured bail, saying police had not requested secured bail.
He ordered her not to have possession of any animals and directed the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to remove a pet Reilly admitted to having during the hearing.
A preliminary hearing was set for 9:30 a.m. Jan. 23.
(Citizens Voice - Jan 11, 2014)
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