BOLIVAR, Pa. — Nearly two dozen animals were rescued Thursday from a Westmoreland County trailer after being left there with no food or water for days, humane officers said.
Three malnourished dogs, a cat and 17 chickens were found inside the filthy, abandoned trailer in Bolivar. The animals were taken into the care of the Westmoreland County Humane Society and a nearby farm.
"We walked the property, still no food no water. We gave everybody food and water. They ate it up and drank every bit of water we had,” Humane Officer Cyndi Price said.
Price said she got an anonymous tip from someone saying the three dogs, cat and 17 chickens were not being cared for. She said she visited the trailer for days and each time found the animals chained up, caged in and without food or water.
"Probably hadn't had a bath or flea treatments or anything like that. The bowls for food and water were filthy. (They) probably hadn't ever been cleaned,” Price said.
She said the owner of the trailer died, but someone was said to be caring for the animals. Price said the care wasn’t enough.
"When I walk into situations like this, it always makes me wonder how people can do it. Why would you leave an animal to starve? If you don't have any means to take care of it, there's avenues to go,” she said.
Price said the woman who was supposed to be caring for the animals will not face charges, but she was forced to surrender all of the animals, which are expected to be up for adoption after they’re examined.
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