Nearly 80 Animals, Teen Boy Removed From 'Deplorable' PA Home: Reports

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PA — Two Pittsburgh-area residents are facing a variety of charges after authorities said they found nearly 80 animals and a 14-year-old boy living in deplorable conditions at their Westmoreland County home, according to multiple reports citing court documents.

Kathleen Chaney, 59, and James Chaney, 52, are facing charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, child endangerment, and neglect of animals after authorities searched their home on Ashbaugh Road on Aug. 14, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

According to the Trib's report, authorities and a county children’s bureau caseworker said there were feces, urine and raw sewage odors coming from the house. Reports said the floor of the home's basement and first floor were coated in feces, spiderwebs and mold.

"The specific conditions inside the residence were the worst I have experienced in my 15 years as a law enforcement officer and over 20 years as a first responder," Sgt. Robert Broome wrote in court papers obtained by the Trib. "It is clear these conditions have been in the residence for a long period of time."

According to CBS Pittsburgh, authorities seized 46 dogs from the property. Several had no access to food and water, while one dog had a needle in its belly and another had a ruptured uterus, reports said.

Authorities also seized 23 cats that had fleas, flea dermatitis, ear mites, worms, and urine burns, reports said. One cat died in surgery following the rescue, CBS Pittsburgh reported.

Five guinea pigs, a dove, a chinchilla and a ferret were also rescued, WPXI reported. A dog, bird, snake and four chickens were found dead on the property.

"There were animals in every single crevice of the house. Cages inside, outside, tied to dog boxes," Jen Johnson of Ninth Life Rescue Center told WPXI in August.

Following the search, township officials condemned the home and deemed it unfit for human occupancy, the Trib reported.