Charleroi residents charged with animal cruelty
A man and woman from Charleroi were charged with felony animal cruelty after authorities say cats were found in inhumane condition earlier this month.
Lori Kendall, 55, and Donald Caldwell, 64, both of 501 Eighth St., were charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor animal cruelty counts by Washington Area Humane Society last week.
Authorities went to their home about 11:30 a.m. May 1 along with officers from Charleroi Regional Police Department and animal control, according to the criminal complaint.
According to the complaint, the house had a strong scent of ammonia and there were multiple cats throughout the basement, including three young cats trying to nurse from a mother cat on the basement steps.
A Humane Society employee determined the cats were thin and dehydrated, and that the mother cat was not producing any milk.
Officials counted at least 18 cats in a room upstairs, many of which suffered from upper respiratory infections. One cat had heavy crusting on her face and over one eye, obscuring her vision.
Kendall agreed to surrender that cat, but refused to turn over the three kittens found on the basement steps, saying there was not anything wrong with them. The Humane Society still removed them from the scene to receive veterinary care.
One of the kittens died 10 days later at a shelter, according to the complaint.
Both Kendall and Caldwell were released from Washington County jail after posting $25,000 bonds.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for both at 9 a.m. June 6 before District Judge Larry Hopkins.