Most of the more than 200 domestic and farm animals found on Summit Township property in what the Pennsylvania State Police have called “inhumane” conditions over the weekend are continuing to be evaluated and treated as police continue their probe into the discovery.
Ruth Thompson of the A.N.N.A. Shelter said Wednesday they are at a better point than they were when the animals were first removed from the property at 7671 Edinboro Road on Saturday night.
Thompson said the animals that were critical and not going to survive — mostly chickens — have died. The 57 dogs that were rescued — mostly puppies — are doing well, although two of the dogs underwent emergency surgery, she said.
The 223 rescued animals also included two pigs, two cats and a multitude of birds, Thompson said Monday.
The animals were removed from the Edinboro Road property and placed in the care of the A.N.N.A. Shelter and its veterinarians after state police served a search warrant on the property Saturday. According to investigators, state police had received a video recording of the living conditions of numerous animals on the farm, then made contact with the farm’s owners.
More:57 dogs among 223 animals seized from Summit Township farm in cruelty probe
Police: Animals found in inhumane conditions
During a walk-through of the property on Saturday, state police said they discovered living conditions that they determined to be inhumane. Troopers said they also found the remains of numerous dead animals on a burn pile on the property.
The incident remains under investigation by state police criminal investigators, Lt. Mark Weindorf, crime section supervisor for state police Troop E in Lawrence Park Township, said Wednesday. No criminal charges related to the incident had been filed as of Wednesday afternoon.
Public encouraged to donate puppy chow, dog food
Weindorf said state police patrol troopers collected donations from throughout Troop E for food for the animals and donated purchased dog food to the A.N.N.A. Shelter to assist them in the animals’ care. Thompson said she appreciated the donation, given that they took in more than twice the number of dogs she was initially told were on the property.
“It kind of depleted what we had, as far as Puppy Chow,” she said.
Weindorf said the state police are encouraging the public to also consider donating to the A.N.N.A. Shelter to assist in the animals’ care. The shelter is in need of Purina dog and puppy chow, Thompson said.
Anyone with information that could assist state police in the ongoing investigation into the discovery at the Edinboro Road farm is asked to call the Erie barracks at 814-898-1641.
Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.
