Apr 9, 2013 2 min read

Four members of a Speers family have been charged by Charleroi Regional police after two emaciated dogs were found living in deplorable conditions at their home last month.

The home at 900 Anne Ave. in Upper Speers has also been declared inhabitable by a representative of the firm that handles building inspection for the borough. No one will be allowed to return to the home until it is professionally cleaned, police indicated.

Charged with two counts each of animal cruelty and animal abuse and one count of disorderly conduct were Jordan Thomas Basel, 27, Allen Michael Basel, 24, Anthony Quinn Basel, 28, and Rosemarie Basel, 50, all of 900 Anne.

The four are accused of not feeding a Chihuahua and pit bull and leaving the two animals in deplorable conditions.

Police were initially called to the home on March 28 to assist Washington County adult probation officers in locating Allen Basel, who was wanted on a probation violation, according to documents filed at the office of District Judge Larry Hopkins.

When police and probation officers arrived, they could hear the dogs barking. Inside the house, they could see garbage thrown about and a small Chihuahua that was obviously malnourished in a bedroom. The floor was covered with feces.

Police went inside the house and found a hospital-style bed in one room that smelled like sewage. A shower was stacked with dirty clothes. Police said the kitchen had numerous dirty bowls with rotting food. Police noted the smell was so bad that everyone who entered the house was gagging.

One dog was in the basement. Since the animal sounded aggressive, the animal control officer was notified. He removed the emaciated pit bull that was found in a washer filled with feces.

All four are scheduled for a May 2 preliminary hearing before Hopkins. Charges were sent by summons.