Frackville police arrested a Schuylkill County man Wednesday morning on an animal cruelty warrant that had been outstanding since last summer, taking him into custody at Schuylkill County Court as he appeared for an indirect criminal contempt hearing on an alleged protection from abuse order violation.
Dayshawn Harris, 40, of Gilberton, had been wanted since August 2025, when Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli signed a warrant for his arrest on four counts each of cruelty to animals, neglect of animals, and abandoning animals.
The contempt hearing, which stems from an alleged PFA violation, was continued.
Harris was arraigned Wednesday morning on the animal cruelty charges and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing before Tarantelli is scheduled for Aug. 12 at 1:15 p.m.
Police say the animal cruelty case began in July 2025, when a Gilberton employee called about the well-being of dogs inside a home on Hickey St. Officers were called back to the same address two days later by a neighbor who said he had not seen Harris in a couple of days and that someone is usually at the house to care for the dogs.
Looking through a window, police say they saw a large brown dog in a cage with no food or water and heard a second dog barking inside. Lights and a ceiling fan were on in the home.
Police say they made repeated attempts to reach Harris, including calling a phone number believed to be his, running plate checks on two vehicles he was believed to be driving, and contacting a nearby hospital to see whether he had been admitted as a patient. Officers say they checked the home several times beginning around 6:30 p.m. and continuing until nearly 6 a.m. the next morning, and that no one was there during any of those stops.
Officers then executed a search warrant at the home and described the conditions inside as “deplorable,” noting a strong odor of pet waste. Police say they found four animals, three dogs and a cat, with two of the dogs in dirty cages and no food or water available to any of them.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Schuylkill County Man Wanted on Animal Cruelty and Neglect Charges
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