Summary trial continued for animal owners
A summary trial was continued Thursday for two Uniontown residents facing more than 100 citations after officials uncovered more than 20 dead animals during a raid at their home in March. Martin Betchy and Heidi Kerin of 141 Connellsville St. will face 109 summary citations, which include 80 for animal cruelty, after Fayette County humane officers allegedly removed 22 dead animals and 19 living animals from the home.
Betchy and Kerin were not home when officers from the Fayette County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Uniontown police raided the home March 31.
SPCA officers Jamie Speelman and Elizabeth Davidson said the living animals found in the home suffered from multiple injuries and illnesses.
Myron Nypaver, the city’s code enforcement officer, said that dead animal carcasses were littered throughout the home on the first and second floors.
He noted that the residents used black paper to cover the windows of the house.
Davidson and Speelman said 17 living dogs and two living turtles were taken from the house as well as 17 dead turtles, four dead chinchillas and one dead bird.
A new trial date has not been set.