Seven pets were found dead in a �deplorable� house in a Pike County community development Thursday afternoon. State police said two dogs, three cats, a rabbit and a parakeet were lying among garbage and animal feces at 173 Butternut St. in Birchwood Lakes. �There are signs of abuse there,� said Wayne McCue, state dog warden with the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.
Mr. McCue said along with the dead animals, three dogs in �fair to poor shape� were rescued. He did not know the breed of any of the dogs.
A neighbor contacted Mr. McCue�s office on May 3, stating the homeowner had not been at the residence in about three weeks, he said. State police at Blooming Grove did not release the homeowners� names. They do not know the woman�s whereabouts, and neither does her mother, Mr. McCue said.
Police called the condition of the house �deplorable.� �It looks like the place is ransacked,� neighbor Linda Fanning said. �There�s garbage all over the yard and a living room couch upside down on the front porch. There�s even laundry and clothing on the porch. It�s disgusting.� The stench lingers to the nearby homes, she said.
Neighbors said a young couple moved into the home six months to a year ago and kept to themselves, but have not been around for nearly a month. �People have been there on and off, but there have been no signs of activity lately,� neighbor Donna Gates said. �I thought they moved out.� Neither women knew the homeowners� names.
Ms. Fanning said the woman told her about six months ago that she was involved in animal rescues. �She didn�t seem like the type to just leave her animals,� she said. �She said she rescued one of her dogs from a shelter. All she talked about were the animals.�
Tina Walter, an officer with the Humane Society of Lackawanna County, said the couple could face misdemeanor charges. Anyone with information is asked to call state police. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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