Donora woman charged with nearly 1,400 counts of animal cruelty

A Washington County woman has been charged with nearly 1,400 counts of animal cruelty in connection with the rescue of about 150 dogs, cats, kittens and chickens from properties in Monessen and Donora in late October.

Christie Dee Harr, 41, of Donora was charged Tuesday with 1,376 animal cruelty charges that include torture, failure to provide shelter, food, water and veterinary care, and causing serious injuries or the death of animals.

On Oct. 30, humane agents removed a majority of the animals from a house in the 600 block of Reed Avenue in Monessen. Other animals were rescued from a Second Street residence in Donora.

Many of the cats were in a dilapidated church, some living in crates overflowing with feces and with no apparent access to food and water. Other cats were found in the basement of a Victorian-style house, stacked in crates. About 20 chickens were also found in the basement of the house, the humane society said.

The animals were living in filthy conditions typically seen in severe neglect situations and appeared to lack veterinary care, according to Kristen Peek, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the United States, based in Washington, D.C.

Prior to the raid, the Washington Area Humane Society received numerous complaints about the property in Donora as its condition deteriorated.