50 animals, children found living in ‘deplorable conditions’ at Eau Claire home
Several children and 50 animals were found living in “deplorable conditions” at a Eau Claire home last week, according to state police.
The Butler County Child and Youth Services and the A.N.N.A Shelter in Erie assisted in the Dec. 21 animal cruelty investigation, where the children, 38 cats, seven dogs, two snakes, a ferret, a goat and a bearded dragon were removed from the South Washington Street home.
According to Trooper Bertha Cazy, public information officer with Troop D, charges against the animals’ owners are pending further investigation.
Ruth Thompson, director of A.N.N.A Shelter in Erie, said they were surprised by the menagerie they took in from the home with the help of two state troopers.
“It’s the nature of rescue; I never know who’s coming in the door,” she said. “We’ve gotten good at large scale (rescues).”
State police found 50 animals at a home on South Washington Street after serving a search warrant for suspected animal neglect Dec. 21.
Thompson said she expected 20 animals to come to the shelter that day, and only one transport vehicle was sent to the scene.
Two state troopers transported the remaining animals in a police van, and assisted A.N.N.A. Shelter employees into the evening, she added.
“We did appreciate their help,” Thompson said.
The animals showed some signs of being malnourished upon arrival, according to Thompson.
“Some of them were in worse shape than others … it was just lack of resources,” she said. “Everybody’s doing well. A lot of the time they’re just happy to be out of a situation they didn’t want to be in.”
The animals are being tested and examined by the shelter vet, and will be available for adoption in a little more than a week, Thompson said.
“I’m glad I can help, because otherwise the animals stay in a situation they shouldn’t be in,” she added.
Information about the A.N.N.A. Shelter can be found by visiting its website, theannashelter.com, or Facebook page.
