To the editor:
In November of 2019,, five dogs were rescued by the state police and Speranza. We dubbed them the “Fab 5”.
Their owner was charged with multiple counts of felony torture, abuse, neglect and failure to provide needed vet care.
We have kept them at Speranza (in foster homes) as “evidence” waiting for the charges to be prosecuted for almost three years.
These dogs were found in filthy living conditions in an unheated basement in their owner’s home. The crates were metal, too small and covered with feces. The temperature in the basement was below freezing.
The owner had been arrested and left them without food and water for five days , not having made any arrangements for their care.
When asked about who would care for them, he said he would when he got out of jail. If the State Police had not stepped in after the 5 days they would have died. (The owner was hoping to get out of jail in 10 days).
After a preliminary hearing, the magisterial district judge found enough evidence to send the case to court...
We nursed these dogs back to health and provided them immense amount of love and quality care. They are thriving.
We don’t begrudge them one ounce of the care or one ounce of the love they have received. That’s what we do and that’s our job.
Unfortunately, the Pike County DA’s office did not do their job.
After almost three years of delay and procedural wrangling, the DA’s office filed a petition with the court to dismiss the charges.
Incredibly they said the case “lacks prosecutorial merit”. What’s worse is that the owner has requested that the dogs be returned.
We will not do this without a fight.
When we asked the DA for help, the response was that without charges “it is my belief no basis exists to further keep the dogs”.
How could they dismiss the charges and open the door for the abusive owner to get these dogs returned to be placed in the same abysmal conditions?
This is where we need you.
Please write to the Pike County DA’s office to insist that they reinstitute the charges unless he agrees to surrender these dogs so that we can find loving forever homes for them.
Write letters. Send emails . Contact news outlets. These dogs need a voice.
They have not only been failed by their “owner” but also by the Pike county DA.
Contact info -
mailto:daoffice@pikepa.org
Janine Guido
Speranzo Rescue Founder
Mechanicsburg, PA