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Case #14334 Rating: 2.0 out of 5
Hoarding over two dozen animals, elder neglect
Passumpsic, VT (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Aug 7, 2008
County: Caledonia
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 3 files available
Defendants/Suspects:
» Paul Harpin - Alleged
» Pauline Harpin
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
A Northeast Kingdom man has been arrested for a disturbing case of animal cruelty.
Police say inside 41-year-old Paul Harpin's home in Passumpsic, they found nearly two dozen malnourished animals, including a dog, kittens, ferrets, lizards, a guinea pig, chinchilla, and a python. A number of decomposed cats were also found. More disturbing was the discovery of more than a dozen dead animals, found frozen in a freezer, including a hedgehog and iguana, along with more kittens.
Police say the floor of the home was filled wall to wall with garbage. The house was also infested with fleas, flies, maggots, feces and urine.
Police say Harpin's 70-year-old mother was hospitalized, because she was covered with fleas and was suffering from uncountable flea bites.
Case UpdatesA Passumpsic woman charged with animal cruelty after authorities found her home filled with dozens of living and dead animals has been given a suspended jail term as part of a plea agreement.
Pauline Harpin, 70, pleaded guilty in early February to 16 counts of cruelty and had four charges dismissed under the plea, which calls for a suspended jail term of up to 48 months.
In addition, Harpin forfeited her right to own or possess animals, agreed to make restitution to those who cared for animals taken from her and consented to unannounced visits by a humane officer to make sure she's in compliance. | Source: Fox 44 - Feb 3, 2009
Update posted on Feb 16, 2009 - 1:12PM |
A mother and son charged in an animal cruelty case have been ordered to clean up their home, where authorities found dozens of dead and dying animals amid fleas and maggots.
The emergency health order was issued by the Town of Barnet, ordering Pauline Harpin, 70, and Paul Harpin, 41, to remove garbage and enlist an exterminator.
Earlier this month, authorities rescued cats, ferrets and other animals from the Harpins' home, where they found at least 15 cats and kittens in varying stages of decomposition. The animals had been denied food and medical care.
The Harpins were both charged with animal cruelty, which is punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and a year in jail. They are due in Vermont District Court on Sept. 8. | Source: Burlington Free Press - Aug 29, 2008
Update posted on Aug 29, 2008 - 6:58PM |
Responding to a report of animal cruelty, authorities found dozens of living and dead animals in a home infested with fleas, maggots and rotting carcasses. The owners - a woman and her adult son - were charged with animal cruelty.
"It has to be the worst case of animal abuse in the history of Vermont," according to Animal Control Officer Josephine Guertin.
Five cats, two ferrets, a lizard, a gecko, a rabbit, a python, a gerbil, a tarantula, a chinchilla, a guinea pig, a tortoise, a mouse and a malnourished dog were rescued. Found dead were an iguana, a white rat, a hedgehog and at least 15 cats and kittens in various stages of decomposition.
Also found was a decomposing animal of unknown type in a pot on a stove. More than a dozen partially frozen dead animals were found in a refrigerator freezer.
The animals had been denied food and medical care, according to Sgt. Bill O'Hare, of the Caledonia County Sheriff's Department, who responded to the scene.
Pauline Harpin, 70, and son Paul Harpin, 41, were charged with animal cruelty and cited into Vermont District Court on Sept. 8.
"The stench was overwhelming, between the urine and feces," said O'Hare. "As soon as you step in, you're covered head to toe with fleas."
On Wednesday, O'Hare and three deputies served a search warrant on the house after receiving a report of severe animal cruelty and threats allegedly made by Paul Harpin to shoot anyone who tried to take the animals.
Inside, they found neglected animals including a 4-year-old Labrador mix who had apparently been living amid filth and water in a basement since it was three months old, Guertin said.
"She's as starved for affection as she is food. She still has diarrhea," Guertin said.
One cat had an upper respiratory infection, and a tortoise was found with a deformed shell, according to Guertin.
Pauline Harpin, who was covered in flea bites, had to be decontaminated by a hazardous materials crew before being taken by ambulance to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, where she was treated and released.
Guertin and a veterinarian who responded to the scene also had to be decontaminated, according to O'Hare.
The Harpins signed voluntary surrender forms allowing the live animals to be removed and adopted once they are rehabilitated.
For now, the animals are in town custody.
The Harpins, meanwhile, are staying at a motel after being advised to stay out of the house until it is cleaned, according to O'Hare.
"They said they didn't know why their animals were dying. They were very angry we were taking the animals away from them, and they didn't offer any information. They simply said 'We're taking care of them, but they're dying, there's nothing we can do.' The response they gave was very strange," O'Hare said.
Animal cruelty is punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and a year in jail. | Source: Bennington Banner - Aug 13, 2008
Update posted on Aug 13, 2008 - 11:26PM |
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