2 charged after 39 animals removed from Sewickley Township home

A Sewickley Township man and woman are facing numerous neglect charges after authorities removed 39 animals from their home, according to court papers.

Nicole Marzole, 39, and Karl Kuhn, 44, allegedly had rabbits, goats, ducks, cats and a dog and chicken at their Fifth Street home that were living in deplorable conditions, authorities said.

Charges were filed against the pair Wednesday.

A humane agent with the Humane Society of Westmoreland County received a report about the house in May and during a visit reportedly saw animals living in unsanitary conditions in a garage and outside area. Rabbit cages were filled with feces and urine, goats had little grass for grazing and ducks had no access to clean water, according to court papers.

“The smell was overwhelming and there were swarms of flying insects,” the agent wrote in court papers.

Marzole and Kuhn were given 10 days to remedy the situation, but the agent reported that the animals’ living conditions did not change. On June 3, she seized 29 rabbits, two goats, three ducks, a chicken, a cat and a dog. Two other cats were captured about a month later.

Township officials condemned the home because of poor living conditions. Two young children were living there and the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau was called to help, officials said.

No court action has been scheduled. Neither Marzole nor Kuhn had an attorney listed in online court records.

Phone numbers for them could not be located.