Police File Charges After Finding 2 Dogs Covered In Urine, Feces In RV
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TORRANCE, Pa. (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County couple is now facing charges after police say they found two dogs living in deplorable conditions in an RV.
According to the criminal complaint, David and Lori Gailbreath are facing charges under the state's Anti-Cruelty Law.
When Matt and Christian Loar heard barking coming from the recently vacant RV in Derry Township, they knew they had to do something. Matt called the situation the dogs were in "just horrible."
The dogs were found in January after the All But Furgotten animal rescue got a call the animals had been left in the RV on New Quarry Road in Torrance, and they were "barking frantically."
The caller told the shelter the owners of the animals were taken away by a constable.
Police say they found the pit bull mix and Chihuahua locked in cages in the RV, which had no heat, no electricity, no running water and no means of sewage disposal. It was just 27 degrees inside.
The dogs had no access to food or water, and a bowl of water was found frozen outside.
The criminal complaint says the outside was cluttered debris; and inside, there was so much trash, the floor wasn't visible.
"When you walked in there, I mean, it was just so polluted with bottles and garbage," Matt said.
"I don't see how anyone was in there. It just made me teary-eyed. I felt bad for the dogs," Christina said.
Police say they couldn't find the Chihuahua's crate at first, because it was covered by trash bags. Both cages were covered in urine and feces.
The pit bull was covered in filth, and the Chihuahua was emaciated, had patches of missing fur and smelled of an "offensive odor."
The animals were seized, and now police have filed charges in the case.
No pictures of the dogs are being released due to the pending court case against their one-time owners.
Lori and David Gailbreath are free facing multiple cruelty to animals and neglect charges. The dogs now getting veterinary care are expected to be OK.
