Monessen woman, 2 men plead guilty to animal cruelty

A Monessen woman and two men will serve probation sentences for the mistreatment of more than 60 animals.

Charolette Fiem, 49, pleaded guilty Monday to 20 charges including five felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Ryan Fiem, 44, and Christopher Conaway, 33, pleaded guilty to 16 misdemeanor and summary charges

According to court records, authorities found dozens dogs, birds, chickens, cats, kittens and a rabbit malnourished, dehydrated and living in unsanitary conditions at the Fiems’ home on Schoonmaker Avenue in Monessen. Animal rescue agents confiscated the animals on June 1, 2022.

Police said some of the 47 cats and kittens found at the home had eyes and teeth removed and others suffered from infections, parasites and other issues. One cat died, according to agents.

Charolette Fiem told the judge she never intended to mistreat the animals. She said she collected the animals from others who no longer wanted to care for them and that over time, she was unable to keep up with the responsibility.

“We reached out to shelters and they couldn’t take them in. This was not the outcome I wanted for the animals. They needed help and I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t abandon them like their families did,” Fiem said.

The Fiems were each initially charged with 373 separate counts including aggravated cruelty to animals, neglect of veterinarian care, neglect of shelter, providing water and tethering. Prosecutors consolidated those charges to facilitate the guilty pleas.

Charolette Fiem was ordered to serve two years on probation. Ryan Fiem and Conaway were sentenced to serve one year on probation. All three were ordered to jointly pay more than $13,000 in restitution to All But Furgotten, the North Huntingdon agency that helped care for and treat the animals.

As part of the sentence imposed by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio, the Fiems and Conaway will be prohibited from having animals while they are on probation.