WEST MAYFIELD, Pa. — Sitting across the lawn on Matilda Street in Beaver County are cages.
“I mean I knew there were several over there, but I had no idea there were that many,” said Destiney Tuskey, who lives next door.
Humane officers told Channel 11 that in two days they found 19 cats and seven dogs inside the home.
“I know their heart was in the right place. It’s not a typical run-of-the-mill animal hoarder. They were really trying to take care of these animals,” Tuskey said.
But officers were actually at this same home in June taking 20 more animals. They gave the homeowners more than seven months to get the other animals care and clean up the home, but they say that didn’t happen.
“The inside was really dark there was a lot of feces everywhere. Everywhere you looked, dressers, cupboards on the floor, the basement, we had animals living in the basement as well,” said Beaver County Humane Officer Christy Vogt.
Neighbors said you could smell the filth, especially in the summer, saying it’s only gotten worse over the years.
“Most of the animals had fur missing from flea dermatitis or that sort of thing where they are just constantly scratching and losing their hair,” Vogt said.
Now officers are charging two sisters who lived in the home and owned the animals. Tamara Roberts and Barbara See are each facing 78 counts of animal neglect and animal cruelty. They are now at the Beaver County Jail.
“It’s always heartbreaking in these situations because nobody deserves to live like this especially animals,” Vogt said.
The investigation is still active and ongoing.
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