SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Thirteen animals were seized from a home in Butler County as part of an ongoing animal cruelty case, and troopers say the conditions inside the home were some of the most deplorable they’ve ever experienced.
State police executed a search warrant at 212 Saxonburg Road in Summit Township around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. Troopers say the couple’s son was at school while they raided the home.
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Troopers said they had to wear hazmat suits and breathing apparatuses to conduct the search because of the deplorable conditions inside the home.
Two officers from the Beaver County Humane Police and ANNA Shelter from Erie seized 10 German shepherds and three cats. Police said the animals were in “poor health” and were covered in feces, mites, fleas and lice.
According to a release, Butler County Children and Youth Services was also contacted and determined the house was unlivable. A Summit Township zoning officer was called, and immediately condemned the residence due to the terrible conditions, police said.
Regina Pruitt, 48, and Robert Pruitt, 55, were both arrested.
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Regina Pruitt is also facing charges of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person on top of 75 animal-related charges.
“I am mortified, I am physically ill, I think about it all the time ... there has been phone calls to the proper agencies about the child living there,” a neighbor said. Multiple neighbors spoke to Channel 11 but did not want to be identified.
“I just pray for that child. It is heartbreaking — there were animals there, but I pray someone finds that child and gives him a loving home.”
CYS took the child. ANNA Shelter workers say all of the animals are being taken care of and doing well and will be put up for adoption.
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