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SHICKSHINNY — Three people were ordered by a district judge to surrender all dogs in their care during their arraignment on felony cruelty charges Wednesday.
John Dancho, 70, his girlfriend, Michele Starkey, 55, both of Wapwallopen, and his daughter, Amanda Dancho, 26, of Freeland, are each facing a staggering number of charges — 11 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals plus 119 misdemeanor and summary counts of neglect.
The charges were filed by Humane Officer Wayne Harvey of the SPCA of Luzerne County last week after investigating a residence in Conyngham Township. He said dogs were found outside in extreme cold temperatures and puppies inside the house were lying in waste.
Here are more details from criminal complaints:
Harvey assisted State Police at 361 Cemetery Road near Wapwallopen on Dec. 31 where 11 adult dogs were found in plastic crates and igloo dog houses that were not insulated. At the time authorities were at the house, the temperature was 5 degrees and dogs were licking ice from water bowls.
John Dancho arrived at the residence and had to use a butane lighter to unfreeze a door lock before entering the residence.
Inside, authorities observed adult dogs inside wire cages either sitting or lying in feces and urine pools. Urine was also found in water bowls.
A strong odor of feces and urine made it difficult to breath.
Eight puppies were found in two empty plastic swimming pools covered by wire cages. The cages and plastic pools were covered with feces and urine.
Eight German Shorthaired Pointer puppies about five weeks old, two adult German Shorthaired Pointers and nine adult Shih Tzus were removed from the residence and treated at the SPCA. An adult Shih Tzu was found to have medical issues such as tumors, cataracts and rotting teeth.
John Dancho and Starkey were released on $50,000 unsecured bail and Amanda Dancho was released without bail.