Hoarding - many animals found dead in freezer
Uniontown, PA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007
County: Fayette
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Joyce Swaney
» Timothy Swaney
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
A preliminary hearing was delayed on Feb 12, 2007 for a Uniontown couple facing nearly 200 charges related to cruelty to animals.
Tim and Joyce Swaney of 51 Bierer Ave. were each charged Dec. 18 with 68 counts of cruelty to animals, eight counts of failure to dispose of animal carcasses and 19 counts of failure to have pets vaccinated.
The preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for 8:15 a.m. Tuesday in Uniontown.
Officers Jamie Speelman and Elizabeth Davidson from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had to wear biohazard suits and breathing masks to enter the Swaney home last November where dozens of animals were found living among several carcasses of dead animals.
After the house was completely searched, the officers reported finding 27 living animals, including 15 cats, four rabbits, a turtle, six ferrets and a dog. Officers also found eight dead animals in different areas of the house, including three cats, three kittens, a ferret and a bird.
Some of the dead animals were found in a freezer in the basement of the home. One cat was discovered dead underneath a mattress in the couple's bedroom. A dead kitten was also found in an empty cat food can.
Officials described the home as being "full of feces and debris" and said that animal carcasses were found in several rooms of the home.
Uniontown code enforcement officer Myron Nypaver filed additional charges against Joyce Swaney on Jan. 8 for multiple code violations including charges of residence unfit for human occupancy and accumulation of rubbish and garbage.
Case UpdatesCharges related to animal cruelty have been refiled against a Fayette County couple.
Joyce A. Swaney, 33, and Timothy M. Swaney, both of Bierer Avenue, Uniontown, have been charged by the Fayette Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with 38 counts each of animal cruelty.
In addition, they are charged with eight counts each of failure to dispose of domestic animal carcasses within 48 hours and 19 counts each of failure to vaccinate a dog or cat against rabies.
The Swaneys faced summary charges earlier this year after humane officials executed a search warrant in November at their residence, but the original set of charges were withdrawn. The newly filed charges include misdemeanor offenses, which are considered more serious than summary offenses.
In criminal complaints filed with the original set of charges, humane officials said they found feces and garbage scattered throughout the Swaney residence.
A foul odor emanated from the structure, and agents removed 34 animals, including dead ones.
The new set of charges were filed Monday in District Court 14-1-01 in Uniontown, which is being served by senior judges. | Source: Pittsburgh Tribune - April 23, 2008
Update posted on Apr 23, 2008 - 1:45PM |
A summary trial for a Uniontown couple charged with more than 130 counts related to animal cruelty was delayed again Friday.
Tim and Joyce Swaney of 51 Bierer Ave. were charged Dec. 18 with dozens of counts of cruelty to animals, 16 counts of failure to dispose of animal carcasses and 38 counts of failure to have pets vaccinated.
The trial, which was slated for 9 a.m. Friday at the Uniontown magisterial district judge's office, was continued for the fourth time for unspecified reasons.
According to officers Jamie Speelman and Elizabeth Davidson, both from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dozens of animals were found living among several animal carcasses in the Swaneys' home in November.
After the house was searched, the officers reported finding 27 living animals, including 15 cats, four rabbits, a turtle, six ferrets and a dog.
Officers also said they found eight dead animals in different areas of the house, including three cats, three kittens, a ferret and a bird.
Officers said some of the dead animals were found in a freezer in the basement of the house, and one cat was discovered dead underneath a mattress in the couple's bedroom.
A dead kitten also was found in an empty cat food can, according to the officers.
On Feb. 26, more than 60 charges against the couple were withdrawn because they were not applicable under the law.
A new trial date has not been set. | Source: The Herald Standard - March 30, 2008
Update posted on Mar 31, 2008 - 2:08AM |
The hearing for a Uniontown couple, each accused of more than 60 charges related to animal cruelty, was continued.
Joyce A. Swaney, a.k.a. Joyce A. Burd, and Timothy Swaney, both of 51 Bierer Ave., Uniontown, arrived Tuesday morning at the office of District Judge Mark Blair for their preliminary hearing on charges of animal cruelty stemming from an incident at their residence. The hearing was continued to an unspecified time and date.
According to an affidavit, Fayette SPCA received complaints on Nov. 13 and Nov. 16 regarding 51 Bierer Ave., about several animals being kept in a house with no running water or electricity as well as dead animals being kept in a freezer in the basement.
Humane Police Officers Jamie Speelman and Elizabeth Davidson-Speelman arrived at the location to investigate on Nov. 17. They posted a written warning on the residence, which described the nature of the complaint and advised the Swaneys to make contact with the officers.
Later that day, Joyce Swaney spoke with Jamie Speelman. Joyce Swaney allegedly said she would cooperate and surrender the animals to the Fayette SPCA shelter, but did not, the affidavit said.
Jamie Speelman reported that upon arriving at the residence, cats were observed through the front window and appeared to have nasal and eye discharge, which indicated a possible need for veterinary care. Deplorable living conditions, including feces and scattered garbage covering the floor, were observed and a foul odor could be smelled outside the residence.
On Nov. 20, the officers returned to make contact with the Swaneys and noticed that the conditions had not changed.
A warrant was issued. The humane officers removed 35 animals from the residence, including dead animals, and took photographs of the living conditions.
Joyce and Timothy Swaney were each charged with 34 counts of cruelty to animals, eight counts of not disposing of animal carcasses within 48 hours of the animal's death and did not prevent exposure of the carcasses to other living animals, and 19 counts of not vaccinating cats and dogs over three months of age to prevent rabies. | Source: Pittsburgh Live - Feb 20, 2008
Update posted on Feb 20, 2008 - 9:49AM |
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