About 150 cats, kittens, dogs — even chickens — were rescued from homes in Monessen and Donora on Wednesday morning in what the humane society is calling “a large-scale alleged neglect situation.”
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.
The majority of the animals were removed from a house in the 600 block of Reed Avenue in Monessen. Other animals were removed from a Second Street residence in Donora, said Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone. Vittone said the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed.
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. Approximately 20 chickens were also found in the basement of the house, the humane society said.
Armed with search warrants, police and humane agents seized the animals at about 7:15 a.m., said Kirsten Peek, a spokeswoman for the national humane society. The Animal Rescue Team still was transporting the animals to an undisclosed shelter as of 5 p.m., according to Peek, who said the final tally of rescued animals could go higher.
The Washington Area Humane Society received many complaints about the property in Donora as its condition deteriorated.
“Given the dire condition of the roof structure and the winter season coming, we felt it was necessary to move forward with a rescue operation,” said Kelly Proudfit, executive director of Washington Area Humane Society.
Vittone said the animal rescue operation was so big that “it was beyond the capability of our local humane society.”
The state police, Humane Animal Rescue-Pittsburgh and the Brandywine Valley SPCA also assisted, the national humane society said.
