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CONYNGHAM TWP. — Three people are facing felony cruelty charges after authorities allege they failed to provide care to multiple dogs found lying in waste and forced to lick ice to quench their thirst.
Eight German Shorthaired Pointer puppies about five weeks old, two adult German Shorthaired Pointers and nine adult Shih Tzus were removed by a humane officer with the SCPA of Luzerne County and state troopers Jan. 2.
Authorities searched the Wapwallopen-area property after allegedly finding multiple dogs outside in extreme cold with no food and frozen water in bowls. When troopers were at the residence, the temperature was recorded at just 5 degrees.
A trooper observed several dogs shivering that appeared to be in distress, according to complaints.
Those charged include John Jereme Dancho, 70, Wapwallopen; his daughter, Amanda Michele Dancho, 26, of Freeland; and Michele Starkey, 55, of Wapwallopen.
An investigation revealed Starkey was operating a dog breeding business for several years and advertised on a website, Pond Hill German Shorthair Pointers. Puppies were being sold for $850, the complaints say.
John Dancho, Amanda Dancho and Starkey were slapped with 11 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and a total of 119 misdemeanor and summary counts of neglect of animals. The charges were filed Thursday with District Judge Matthew Christopher in Shickshinny.
John Dancho, Amanda Dancho and Starkey had not been arraigned as of late Thursday afternoon, according to online court records.
They could not be reached for comment.
Starkey is the girlfriend of John Dancho.
The felony count of aggravated cruelty is a new law, known as Libre’s Law, which was enacted last year. It increased penalties and strengthened protections for animals in Pennsylvania.
According to criminal complaints:
Humane Officer Wayne Harvey observed 11 adult dogs in kennels behind 361 Cemetery Road. While the dogs had plastic crates and igloo dog houses, those structures were not insulated.
John Dancho arrived at the residence while authorities searched the property. He told authorities he was at the residence Dec. 30 to look after the dogs.
John 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.
Authorities had John Dancho and Amanda Dancho take the 11 dogs outside and five adult dogs inside the residence to their vehicles.
While the adult dogs were being placed in the Danchos’ vehicles, authorities heard barking from another room where eight puppies were found in two empty plastic swimming pools covered by wire cages. Each cage and plastic pool was covered with feces and urine.
Authorities then discovered more dogs inside, including a German Shorthaired Pointer in a crate that was stuck to the basement flood due to a buildup of feces and urine.
And an adult Shih Tzu was found to have medical issues such as tumors, cataracts and rotting teeth.
Authorities said the dogs were examined at the SPCA in Luzerne County.