2 charged after farm animals removed from deplorable conditions in Hempfield

Two people were arrested Thursday in connection with numerous neglected farm animals, some of which were dead, that were seized from a Hempfield property, according to court papers.

Authorities said a veterinarian concluded most of the animals had pneumonia and a sheep found dead had a ruptured eye and suspected fractured neck.

Rachel Lee Cline, 28, and Samuel D. McCormick, 22, both of Delmont, are free on $10,000 unsecured bail on 40 counts of animal cruelty and neglect charges.

A humane officer from All But Furgotten in North Huntingdon received a complaint in October about the animals at a Monkey Wrench Road property. A witness reported they were living in deplorable, unsafe conditions and didn’t have any food or water, according to court papers.

McCormick and Cline were owners and caretakers of the animals. Humane officers said the pair moved the animals to a different location on the property and provided food and water during an Oct. 7 welfare check. Twelve days later, state police were called to the property and reported to humane agents that a pig got loose and the animals didn’t have any water, according to court papers.

The original witness notified the humane agent on Nov. 5 that the animals were again without food or water, according to court papers. McCormick and Cline claimed that day they were headed to the property.

During a welfare check on Dec. 3, humane agents said they seized several goats, sheep, a pig and other animals. They found a pig, sheep and chickens dead on the property.

Some of the animals that survived were very thin, needed their feet trimmed and had infections, according to court papers.

McCormick and Cline could not be reached. Preliminary hearings are set for June 21. They did not have attorneys listed in online court records.