Two Tamaqua residents had their animal cruelty case moved to Schuylkill County court during a brief preliminary hearing on Thursday.
Co-defendants Anthony Richardson, 34, and Stephanie Potts, 33, are accused of abandoning two dogs and nine cats at their former residence in Porter Township back in January.
One of the dogs had to be euthanized due to the neglect it experienced over the course of eight days when it and the other animals were locked in the area where the two accused were living.
State Police were summoned to that Porter Township residence on the evening of Jan. 19. Sarah and Troy Richardson told police that Anthony Richardson was evicted from that residence on Jan. 10 on an issue related to a PFA order.
When Anthony Richardson was evicted, Potts went with him.
However, when they left that Porter Twp. location, they left their dogs and cats in their living area and padlocked it. No key to that lock was given to Sarah or Troy Richardson. Their grandmother, who also lives at that Porter Township location texted Potts to find out where the key to the padlock was but was allegedly told that no one was to enter that area.
Sarah Richardson told police that on Jan. 12, she contacted animal rescues and humane societies looking for help in trying to provide care for the animals.
After eight days, on Jan. 18, Sarah and Troy Richardson determined that they needed to enter that living area because of their concern for the animals, police say in their criminal complaint. Troy Richardson later told police that they were apprehensive about entering the locked area due to the PFA order with Anthony Richardson and a prior threat that if he did enter that living area, he’d be accused of theft.
Troy Richardson eventually pried the lock off the door to the living area where Anthony Richardson and Potts stayed. Animal feces and urine were everywhere, they said.
Two dogs were laying on the floor when they entered. One of the dogs, Milo, couldn’t stand, walk, or open her eyes.
No water source was found for any of the animals. The only food inside was an open bag of Meow Mix cat food.
Milo was removed from the living area and bathed. During the bathing process, Sarah Richardson told police that fecal matter was washing out of the dog’s fur. The dog’s nails were overgrown, she had sores on her rear left leg, and she had fur missing from her tail.
En route to the Porter Township location on the 19th, police say Sarah Richardson called and said she had taken Milo to a hospital run by Speranza Animal Rescue because she had been defecating blood.
On Jan. 22, police learned that neither of the two dogs were licensed and they also contacted Shore’s Veterinary Emergency Center, where Milo had been treated. It was on Jan. 30 that police were forwarded a copy of Milo’s medical record, which showed she’d been euthanized on Jan. 21 due to her advanced deteriorating condition, including a yeast infection that covered most of her body, kidney failure, skin ulcers and other maladies.
The vet treating Milo told police on Feb. 1 that the dog’s kidney infection had advanced to the point where euthanasia was the only available treatment. She allegedly told police that the conditions in which Milo lived, especially in the last eight days of her life, were a direct cause of her death.
At last week’s hearing, State Police said that vet would be available to testify at a future trial that may be held in the future.
Police say they interviewed Potts on March 23 at State Police’s Frackville barracks. There, Potts allegedly told police that she “felt responsible” for the deterioration of the animals’ condition and that it was her intent to return to that Porter Township location to care for them but couldn’t due to weather and road conditions, not having access to transportation, and because she didn’t feel welcome there.
Potts and Richardson are facing charges of felony aggravated cruelty to animals, felony charges of having unlicensed dogs, misdemeanor cruelty to animals and neglect of animals, and many summary offenses for cruelty to animals and unvaccinated animals.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...