Animal Friends Rescues 30 Cats, 5 Dogs Living In Deplorable Conditions
WEST DEER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Animal Friends rescued 35 animals living in a West Deer Township home with deplorable conditions.
Officials said the animals were living in unsanitary conditions with little food or water.
According to Animal Friends, neighbors initially complained about the condition of the home and expressed concern for the animals.
When Humane Officer Angie Fry and West Deer Township Code Enforcement arrived at the home on Friday, they noticed a strong smell.
"It was very, very, just dirty, a lot of disarray, garbage, both inside and outside the property," Fry said.
The animals were taken to Animal Friends in Ben Avon Heights.
Fry said most of the animals have fleas, while some have upper respiratory infections.
The woman who owned the animals will likely face charges, but the extent of the charges will be determined after the animals are evaluated further.
This is the latest in a handful of similar local cases over the past six months.
In September, 117 dogs were removed from a home in Ross Township.
Several animals were also rescued from homes in Wilkinsburg and Turtle Creek.
Fry said it's partly due to increased awareness from the public.
"I think people have been stepping up in the community more to report things that they see and believe are wrong," Fry said.
Now, Animal Friends is over capacity after taking in more than 200 animals from those cases.
The shelter is asking for donations and for people to consider adopting.
