FRACKVILLE - Charges will be filed against a Frackville man after 15 pit bulls were found in a basement Sunday.
Sgt. Marvin Livergood of the Frackville Police Department said Wednesday that 15 summary counts of animal cruelty and 15 counts each of violating the dog law regarding to not having a dog vaccinated and licensed will be filed against Michael A. Williams, 539 W. Oak St.
A dog three months of age and older must be licensed, according to state law. Owners of dogs older than three months must also have a current rabies vaccination. The state dog law office was closed when contacted Wednesday. A phone call to Francis Cremia, state dog law warden for Region 7, was not returned.
Barb Umlauf, Hillside SPCA director, said fines for not having a dog vaccinated or licensed can range from $50 to $300, depending upon the magistrate.
Livergood said the charges could be filed today.
In his 12 years on the force, Livergood said he had not seen such a thing.
When asked if he had seen a situation as bad as that before, he said, "Not that bad, no."
Fifteen pit bulls, one of which was dead, were taken from the house Sunday after neighbors complained.
Livergood said both he and patrolmen Christ Hand received a call early Sunday and went to the house.
After looking in a window, they noticed the dogs, one of which had a paint can on its head. The dogs could also be heard barking, he said.
A back door was opened and the officers entered.
Livergood could tell that one dog had wounds on its body.
He said they encountered an "overpowering smell and strong urine and dog mess."
Some dogs were found running in the basement, cages were faced against the wall and a dead dog was on the floor, Livergood said.
People from the Hillside SPCA were there to collect the dogs later that day.
Umlauf has said the dogs are friendly. Two of the dogs are in critical condition at a veterinarian's office. One of them has a torn ACL and the other has a high fever and other complications, she said. The surgery for the ACL will cost about $2,000, she said.
So far, $1,500 has been spent for the vet care and for the dog that died, Umlauf said. Medical care is coming out of Joe's Fund, an account used to care for animals that need special medical care.
A Facebook page has been established for the dogs called The Frackville Fifteen.
To help the dogs or contribute to the Hillside SPCA, call 570-622-7769 or write a check to the Hillside SPCA, attention Joe's Fund, 51 Spca Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.
