Sheep and a goose were found in a farm shed near a dead lamb.
The NJ SPCA said such cases of animal hoarding are "too common," and are dangerous for animals and their owners.
All 22 dogs and the one cat removed, NJ SPCA reported, had fleas, worms, and skin infections. One dog went deaf because of an untreated ear infection, the SPCA reported today, and another dog lost an eye to glaucoma.
Eva L. Petschauer, 61, and daughters Jessica Powylan-Petschauer, 25, and Kristina Powylan-Petschauer, 18, were each charged with two counts of animal cruelty. Jessica works at the borough school, hired in August as a part-time special education aide.
Rick Yocum, NJ SPCA president, said their home was found "in beyond deplorable conditions with feces and urine in every room."
He said the dogs and cat all were "infested with fleas, matted hair, untrimmed nails, round worms, hook worms and skin infections. Several dogs had ear infections; one so severe the dog is now deaf."
Six sheep and one goose were also taken from the home in a remote area of the borough. The property is on a ridge at the northern end of the borough and isn't visible from the road.
The animals were removed after Eva Petschauer allowed authorities to search her property on March 1, according to the SPCA.
“This is yet another animal hoarding case involving the discovery of dead animals, multiple live animals in very poor condition and living conditions not appropriate or safe for humans,” said Yocum.
One borough resident, who asked not to be identified, said the family "seem like very nice, kind people. Their situation probably got away from them."
According to Yocum, “Unfortunately, this kind of case is becoming way too common. More importantly, this situation could have been avoided completely by simply picking up the phone or reaching out to an organization like the NJ SPCA and asking for help.”
Each of the women face fines up to $2,000 and up to six months of jail or community service time. NJ SPCA is recommending that each be barred from owning or caring for animals in this state for at least 15 years.
Thirty animals were removed from the property, treated at the Hunterdon Humane Shelter in Alexandria Township by veterinarian Dr. Chad Tindall, and most have healed, the SPCA reported.
A large number have found new homes, and the rest are expected to be available at the shelter's grand reopening and adoption day on Saturday, April 12.
Authorities reported that two sheep and one lamb were found dead in a shed on the Petschauer property. They said that water tubs were frozen solid and they could find no food for the livestock.
Frenchtown Police Chief Alan Kurylka said, “While this was a very sad case of animal cruelty," he was glad that officers from his department and the SPCA could "deal with the situation head-on by removing the animals from harm's way and doing our best to help the family refocus their efforts and improve their quality of life."
The SPCA is the borough's animal control agency because it has taken control of Hunterdon Humane, whose former director Theresa Carlson is facing animal cruelty charges. An SPCA officer called the prior situation at Hunterdon Humane, under Carlson's leadership, hoarding.
The charges against the Petschauers are scheduled to be heard in the Joint Court of Delaware Valley in Frenchtown on April 16. Court starts at 10 a.m.
(NJ.com - March 26, 2014)
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