Animals, children living in feces
Belle Vernon, PA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Apr 17, 2008
County: Washington
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Rona Smartt
Rona Smartt, 44, of 35 Sampson St has been charged with animal cruelty. The charges against Smartt follow an investigation into the woman's home, which was characterized by Southwestern Regional Police Chief John Hartman as "absolutely deplorable."
As a result, Children and Youth Services authorities took into custody teens aged 14, 16 and 17.
Four dogs were confiscated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hartman said.
Police investigated after someone in the house released some of the animals on two constables as they tried to serve a bench warrant last month on Jason Kyle.
The warrant had been issued by Washington County Judge Paul Pozonsky after Kyle failed to appear for a preliminary hearing on charges of theft, criminal trespassing and burglary, Hartman said.
When a family member permitted police into the house April 17, they found the scarcely-furnished home had clothes scattered on the floor, in places with dog waste on them.
Hartman said the dogs had urinated all over the home and he found dog feces throughout the home, including on the wall of one room.
He said a 17-year-old boy was walking barefoot among the animal waste while trying to sweep the house.
Hartman said an alleged crack pipe and other drug paraphernalia were found in the home.
Police also recovered a decorative dagger and other knives and small swords, the chief said.
The teens told police they were living in the house for just two weeks.
The police investigation is continuing, according to Hartman. References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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