Pennsylvania: Suspect's mother accused of intimidating witness in animal abuse case

PENNSYLVANIA -- A woman will be facing charges of witness intimidation, after authorities said she threatened a person who was helping police in the animal cruelty case against her son.

Police said 36-year-old Tia Matthews of Wilkinsburg sent threatening texts and voicemails after her son, 19-year-old Gerald Walker Jr., was arrested.

 

 

Walker Jr. turned himself in to police last week, after humane officers said his emaciated dog was discovered in a Homewood apartment.

The dog, which has since been named Effie, was brought to the Western Pa Humane Society weighing 14 pounds.

 

 

Gerald's defense is that he "couldn't afford" to feed his dog.
Doesn't look like Gerald missed any meals...

Effie was placed in foster care after undergoing surgery.

(WPXI Pittsburgh - Feb 11, 2016)

Earlier:

• Pennsylvania: Gerald Walker Jr., 19, owner of badly emaciated dog described as 'fur on top of a skeleton' charged