News

65 animals seized from Brighton Township home taken in by BCHS

BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Sixty-five animals seized Monday morning from a home in Brighton Township have been taken in by the Beaver County Humane Society.

The animals -- 60 rabbits, three dogs and two guinea pigs -- were living in deplorable conditions, authorities said. They said at least one child lives in the home. %

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Humane officer Mark Sparks said the home’s garage was closed and the temperature inside was 82 degrees when he arrived. There was a fan running, but it was moving only warm air around and the rabbits were overheating, he said.

More than 50 rabbits were kept in cages that were in need of cleaning, according to BCHS. Bugs were on the rabbits and in their cages, and there was a strong odor of urine in the garage.

More animals were inside the house, including one of the three dogs that is suffering from a skin infection. The only source of water for the dogs was an algae-filled pond in the backyard. %

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Channel 11 News learned that the homeowner was raising show rabbits. They had pedigree papers for the rabbits, all of which have been signed over to the humane society.

BCHS is asking for donations and volunteers to assist with the care of the animals until they can be adopted.