Nearly 20 cats found dead at Washington County home; another 20 found alive, police say

NORTH CHARLEROI, Pa. — A man is facing charges after police say they found nearly 40 cats, many of which were dead, at a Washington County home.

According to court documents filed on Wednesday, Joseph B. McKenna Jr. was charged with 18 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death and 20 counts of cruelty to animals.

In an affidavit, a police sergeant said they were called to a house on Fourth Street in North Charleroi for neighbors reporting that at least two cats were dead inside garbage bags on the property and numerous others were running around.

The sergeant reported a strong odor coming from the house, which was also noted by the caller. Two black trash bags covered with maggots, flies and bugs were visible.

According to police, a cat lying on the kitchen floor with dark liquid coming from its mouth and throat area was visible through a glass pane window.

The sergeant contacted a humane officer who advised them to get a search warrant.

Upon getting the search warrant, several officers joined to help execute it.

The investigators entered through the basement and side doors after knocking and announcing themselves multiple times and failing to make contact with anyone inside.

Officers reported the house was in deplorable condition both inside and out. Dirty dishes were piled up inside and heavy amounts of dust and cat hair were visible around the rooms.

Police said 18 dead cats were found in various states of decomposition inside the house and 20 living cats were found running around inside.

Investigators are unsure if all cats have been accounted for at this time, citing challenges with the unsanitary conditions and the possibility of more cats being inside walls or crawl spaces.

While the search was happening, police eventually got into contact with McKenna, who said he was the sole occupant of the house and he lived on the upper floors of the house.

After he was read his rights, McKenna told police he was going through personal issues and was struggling to take care of the animals. He was asked whether he had tried reaching out to the Washington County Humane Society, the police department, or a nonprofit for help, and he said he had not.

Police said McKenna told them he was aware of the cats inside the garbage bags, adding there were about four animals per bag, within numerous bags on the property. He said the cats would often fight and that some died from their wounds after these fights. Police said McKenna told them he had not been downstairs in the kitchen area for four to five days.

According to court documents, McKenna said he planned to clean the house, but added that his pipes cracked after freezing in the winter, so the water had to be shut off.

McKenna was taken into custody and is being held at the Washington County Jail.

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