Remainder of animals removed from condemned North Braddock home

NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. — Police returned to a condemned North Braddock home Monday to remove the remainder of malnourished animals from inside the house.

Authorities said they were called to check on the welfare of an 11-year-old girl, but made a much larger discovery Saturday afternoon.

The North Braddock home had dozens of animals stacked in cages up to 6 feet high in one room with an 8-foot ceiling. There were 19 cats, 13 dogs and two chickens.

“It’s deplorable in there. There was lots of clutter and a lot of feces throughout the place,” Humane Society Officer Ronald Smith said.

When police made the alarming discovery, they called animal control to assist with the situation.

"You're talking about dogs that were probably weeks and months (old)," said Dog Law Enforcement Officer Kenneth Ferree. "Cats that were weeks and months (old) in the cages in this one particular room...not allowed to run freely, not allowed in the basement."

Two chickens were also found in the upstairs bedroom.

The cats were removed soon after the discovery of animals was made.

"It was disgusting. Like I said, I don't know how anyone could live in that," North Braddock Police Chief Dean Bazzone said. "I was in there for 10 to 15 minutes and I couldn't even breathe."

The homeowner could be heard arguing with police as they removed the cages of cats from the home. Police repeatedly told the woman to "let go of the cage."

As the removal of animals became more heated, the rising emotion could be heard in an officer's voice.

"That's it," said an officer sternly. "Do not argue with the police department."

Neighbors told Channel 11's Vince Sims the problem has been going on for some time.

"People come by, they think something is dead in there," said Brinton Avenue neighbor Annette Russell. "That's what it smells like. I worry about disease."

Police said the 11-year-old girl is in a safer environment.

Authorities have not said what charges the homeowner faces.

WPXI