Police: 13 animals found dead, 60 others removed from Slippery Rock Township home
Sixty animals were removed from a Slippery Rock Township home during an investigation Thursday, Jan. 18 that found the animals living in harsh conditions and another 13 animals dead, according to state police.
Troopers discovered “dozens” of animals exhibiting signs of starvation and neglect and learned that children also reside at the property, police said in a Friday news release.
The children were not present at the time a search warrant was served, but Children and Youth Services responded to the property, police said. The news release indicated the children are “safe at this time.”
The owner of the property was not identified in the news release and charges have not been filed as a result of the investigation, which is ongoing.
Troopers found 10 alpacas, a basset hound, a chicken and a duck dead on the property, police said.
The remaining 60 animals included a horse, alpacas, ducks, chickens, dogs and cats. Those animals were transported to the A.N.N.A. Shelter in Erie County.
Ruth Thompson, director of the shelter, said they used a livestock trailer, two shelter vans and a state police van to transport the animals.
The shelter’s veterinarian will perform necropsies on the dead animals, she said, while the surviving animals were placed on a feeding plan.
“They were emaciated, vitamin depleted. It takes about three days to refeed them,” she said. “There are two alpacas I’m kind of concerned about; they’re in a more non-stable condition.”
According to Thompson, all the animals were kept outside at the Slippery Rock residence, but will now be sheltered from the cold in various buildings on the shelter property.
“We make it work,” she said. “We’re a high-volume shelter, meaning our intake is high and our output is high.”
Once the animals are examined, they will be put up for adoption. Thompson estimated the animals will be available by Monday.
“We’re glad we were able to help,” she said.
Last month, A.N.N.A Shelter took in more than 50 animals after a search warrant was served by state police at an Eau Claire home.
The animals consisted of 38 cats, seven dogs, two snakes, a ferret, a goat and a bearded dragon were removed from the South Washington Street home.
According to Thompson, all but seven cats from that rescue have been adopted. The remaining cats all had ringworm and are being treated, she said.
“People can get (ringworm) too,” she explained. “As they’ve been coming out of quarantine, we are getting them back up for adoption.”
To view animals available for adoption from A.N.N.A Shelter, visit theannashelter.com or call 814-451-0230.
