A Schuylkill County woman is facing animal cruelty and neglect charges after State Police say she kept a Golden Retriever in severely malnourished condition and attempted to deny the animal necessary veterinary care.
Jean Kercher, 68, of North Manheim Township was charged recently with one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals and two misdemeanor counts of animal neglect concerning veterinary care and sustenance.
Police say the investigation began on Sept. 30 when staff at Brookside Animal Hospital received a report from BluePearl Pet Hospital about a critically ill, severely underweight 2-year-old Golden Retriever. Police say Kercher attempted to take the dog home against medical advice after the animal was suspected of ingesting chocolate, despite staff warning her the dog had a large risk of dying at home.
According to police, police attempted to contact Kercher at her North Manheim Township home on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 but she did not answer the door. On the morning of Oct. 1, police say they were notified that Kercher had brought the dog to the Orwigsburg clinic for a checkup.
A veterinarian who examined the dog reported that the animal was severely underweight, had sunken eyes, pale teeth, and completely lacked fat pads, police say. Troopers observing the dog at the clinic reported seeing the clear impressions of its rib cage, overgrown fur between its toes, unclipped nails making a clicking sound on the floor, and matted fur that smelled of urine and feces.
When questioned by police at the clinic, Kercher reportedly said she provided the dog with food and water. She told troopers she also fed the dog human food, stating, “I feed him some pizza, and he loves pepperoni. He ate three slices of it.”
Police say Kercher ultimately signed an animal surrender form. Investigators state she admitted to clinic staff that her house was in disrepair and that she struggled to care for herself.
According to court documents, humane police officers reported that this is not the first time animals have been removed from Kercher’s care. In June 2023, four dogs were seized from her home after a visiting nurse reported concerns. Investigators allege the home at that time was heavily cluttered and filled with animal waste, and that the dogs were kept in undersized crates for up to 23 hours a day and fed mostly table scraps.
Kercher is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for June 30 before Senior Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek.
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