Pennsylvania: Eight animals found dead in 'deplorable' conditions in Delaware Township. Robert Hites and Austin Langdon facing charges

PENNSYLVANIA -- The situation discovered by Mercer County Humane Society agents on a leased farm property in Delaware Township Tuesday afternoon was “probably the worst we’ve had in a year,” according to Sandi Drabick, executive director.

About five volunteers spent upwards of six hours assisting the Humane Society in rescuing two horses, two pigs, several chickens, two dogs and other live animals at 35 District Road from conditions described as “deplorable.”

“This is not normal for the pigs to be lying around dead. It’s not normal for calves to be in feed sacks dead. It’s just the lack of compassion,” said Humane Society volunteer Shana Ditosto, who was out at the farm on Tuesday.

 

Humane agents say eight animals — three piglets, one pig, three calves and a rabbit — were found dead on the property, and others were living in deplorable conditions.

“There’s no bedding, no food, no water, knee-deep mud for some of the animals and a lack of proper shelter,” she explained. “It’s been a long day, but whether rain, snow, sleet or hail, we’re here for the animals.”

Drabick emphasized the property owner, a “distraught” woman who asked to remain anonymous, was “in no way responsible,” as she was in poor health and wasn’t aware of the situation.

UPDATE: Pennsylvania: Robert Hites and Austin Langdon charged with animal cruelty after dead and starving animals found on farm

 

Officials told WKBN that they plan to cite the animals’ owners with animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor and could result in a fine. (Most likely probation and surrender of the animals - that what most states to do animal abusers) The animals are owned by two men who are leasing the property but who live in Greenville.

Mercer County Humane Officer Renee Dorogy said there have been efforts in Pennsylvania to toughen the animal cruelty laws, but she said those efforts have made little progress. She called the punishment for the offenses similar to that for a traffic violation.

The Humane Society was notified of the conditions Monday by a neighbor who had been on the property and brought food for the animals over the weekend and Tuesday, Dorogy said.

 

 

“We had to get people lined up to remove these animals and do what needs to be done,” Drabick said, noting live animals have been placed on another farm and in veterinary care.

Once the animals have been assessed medically, the Humane Society can get a better idea of how long the animals were left in these conditions, according to Dorogy.

“It hasn’t just been a day or two,” she said. “We know it’s been a while. And the weather’s been pretty nice (for) this time of year. We usually don’t get calls like this until much later in the winter or early spring.”

 

A few remaining free-range chickens and cats, which couldn’t be caught Tuesday, will have to be rounded up at a later date, she added.

“If anybody would like to donate for the care of the ones we saved, they can sure do that,” Drabick said. “They need vet care and nutrition. As you can imagine, these vet bills do rise for this.”

Donations can be made to Humane Society of Mercer County, Box 1046, Hermitage, PA 16148.

(The Herald - Dec 30, 2015)