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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #5397 Rating: 3.9 out of 5
Hoarding - over 85 animals
Forward Township, PA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Aug 18, 2005
County: Allegheny
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Erin Schmidt
» Steven Schmidt - Dismissed
» James Charles Willis - Dismissed
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Calling the conditions "deplorable," animal control officers removed 74 animals from a small house in Forward Township.
Forward Township Police Sgt. Glenn Fine said they were contacted about a week ago from residents complaining about odor coming from the 1 1/2-story house on Mentor Road.
Police contacted Animals Friends, a no-kill shelter in Pittsburgh's Strip District, to investigate the reports. Fine said humane officers gave the home's owner, Erin Schmidt, a deadline to have the animals removed, which was not met.
Fine said his department, along with neighbors, were shocked when they learned that dozens of animals were living in the cramped quarters.
"We were all very surprised," Fine said. "We never saw more than a few outside."
According to a press release on the Animal Friends Web site, humane officers, assisted by staff and volunteers, transported dogs, cats, parakeets, rats, mice, cockatiels, a cockatoo and a guinea pig to their facilities for further evaluation and care.
"Many of these animals had been kept in extremely unsanitary, confined conditions and are suffering from flea infestation and urine burns, among other problems, and in need of veterinary care," the press release stated. "Upon evaluation, some of these animals will be transferred to appropriate foster homes or rescue facilities."
Animal Friends officials stated the owners of the home, Erin Schmidt and her husband Steven, has been charged with running an illegal kennel on the property and will receive numerous humane citations. House guest Jim Willis has been charged with dog law violations. Details regarding all charges against Schmidt and Willis are pending a complete investigation.
Fine said Schmidt "cooperated fully" with animal control officers, but her houseguest, who was staying in an enclosed porch, allegedly caused a disturbance while the officers were there.
"We asked him to leave and he did," Fine said.
Fine said the smell from the outside of the house was unbearable and inside it was worse. "You can't even imagine," Fine said.
In the meantime, Animal Friends is now asking for the public's help to take care of the animals in the form of financial contributions, cat and dog food and foster homes.
For more information or to help, call Animal Friends at 412-566-2103, or go to www.animal-friends.org
Case UpdatesFive charges of animal cruelty and neglect against Jim Willis, a well-known dog expert, animal activist and author, have been dropped, but a woman accused of running an illegal shelter has been found guilty on 44 counts of animal neglect.
Humane officers raided Erin Schmidt's Forward Township home on Aug. 12 and found more than 85 animals malnourished and living in filth. They removed 36 dogs, 20 cats, 10 birds, 12 ferrets and six rodents, many of them in bad health.
Willis, who was her house guest, was not in court September 16 when the verdict came in for Erin Schmidt.
Judge Ernest Marraccini ordered Schmidt to pay more than $3,000 in restitution and allowed her to keep two dogs. He dropped the charges against Willis, who was staying at the home when it was raided, stating there wasn't enough evidence to convict him.
Some of the animals were confined in a dark cellar filled with feces for three years.
"Our biggest goal was to make sure the animals were not returned," Katie Waters, of Animal Friends, said. "We are thrilled to have custody of them, and we'll be able to place them appropriately."
Schmidt had been running a rescue operation out of her home called "Pets a Plenty."
According to the judge, although well intended, Schmidt had gotten way in over her head taking in so many animals.
Schmidt's attorney, Sam Reich, agreed, but said it's unthinkable to think she'd do something malicious toward animals.
Humane officers said they are fairly satisfied with the verdict but wish the judge had ordered jail time. Schmidt and her attorney can still appeal the decision. | Source: WTAE - Sept 16, 2005
Update posted on Sep 16, 2005 - 6:21PM |
References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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