NORTH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — A local couple is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly leaving dogs and rabbits in horrible conditions.

Humane Police Officer Cathy Cunningham picked up a pit bull Tuesday night from a home in North Franklin Township, Washington County.

She says initially there were three adult dogs, three puppies, two rabbits and some fish.

Cunningham showed KDKA-TV pictures of a dog she says she had already removed from the backyard.

She says it was emaciated and had its skin rubbed raw by a chain collar. She also says there was a dog and three puppies on a sun porch with feces and urine.

As for the rabbits, Cunningham says they were malnourished and in a hot metal cage.

David Waychoff, 34, and 27-year-old Tina Shipley are facing animal cruelty charges, according to Cunningham. She says they claim they were away and had made arrangements for the animals to be taken care of.

Neighbor Deborah Whipkey is glad the dogs aren’t next door anymore.

“It’s good for the dogs, too, because who wants to see an animal be treated like that?”

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