Man charged in dog’s death
A Scottdale man is accused of severely neglecting two dogs causing one to die and the other to suffer from extreme malnutrition.
Thomas Bageant, 75, faces felony charges of aggravated cruelty and torture to animals and aggravated cruelty to animals causing death. He also faces six counts of misdemeanor neglect of animals.
State police said they were called to Bageant’s home on Kingview Road in Bullskin Township to conduct a welfare check Aug. 30. At the home, a trooper noticed a strong smell coming from a crate outside and found the remains of a dog, according to court paperwork.
A second dog was found alive, but its “spine and rib bones were showing through his skin,” police wrote in a complaint.
A necropsy conducted by the Fox Run Equine Center determined lack of food and basic care resulted in a “slow, painful death” for the dog. The living dog was removed from the premises, police said.
Police alleged that Bageant’s son, who had lived on the property, originally owned the dogs before going to jail but had given responsibility to Bageant while incarcerated. It is not clear when Bageant assumed ownership of the dogs.
Bageant was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5.