Greene dog owners found guilty of animal cruelty
WAYNESBURG – A Prosperity couple was found guilty of abusing their two adult dogs and five puppies.
Pamela Dawn Kiger, 37, and David Allen Holcomb, 28, of 910 Dillie Road were charged with animal cruelty by Greene County humane officers Sept. 10.
The couple forfeited ownership of the animals to Humane Society of Greene County as part of sentencing imposed by District Judge Lou Dayich. Kiger was ordered to pay $439 restitution to HSGC toward veterinary costs incurred in the treatment of the animals in the society’s care since Aug. 4.
Holcomb and Kiger may not own or possess animals for 90 days beginning Nov. 4, the final day for them to appeal the sentence given by Dayich.
Under the commonwealth statute for animal cruelty, prohibition of ownership or possession of animals for those charged with a summary offense of animal cruelty cannot exceed 90 days.
No further penalties were imposed against Kiger or Holcomb in the case.
Officers filed the charges after finding a female mixed-breed dog lethargic inside a crate without adequate food and water. Her five nursing puppies were inside the crate with her, according to Jane Gapen, Greene County Humane Society Director.
Gapen said the female dog was “dying” and she and the puppies were covered in feces and urine.
The puppies were also malnourished, according to Gapen.
A male mixed-breed dog was also deprived of adequate food and water, Gapen said.
None of the animals received veterinary care prior to being rescued by humane officers. They were since treated by Waynesburg Animal Hospital.
Gapen said it was “touch and go for two or three days” for the female dog, but the animal hospital staff “saved her.”
In an unrelated case, Candy and Michael Galloway, of 1072 Aleppo Road, Aleppo, were found guilty of animal cruelty Monday.
HSGC officers said the Galloway’s adult, mixed-breed, female dog was found on the road Sept. 6 by a passerby who brought it to the Humane Society shelter on Jefferson Road.
The dog is currently under the care of a veterinarian who found it to be suffering from severe skin infections, ring worm, malnutrition and dehydration, Gapen said.
At the time charges were filed, a humane officer said special care was necessary to increase the dog’s weight before it could receive certain medications.
Gapen said the dog remains hospitalized with a “lengthy rehab process” ahead of it but noted it gained weight.
The Galloway’s were required to forfeit the dog to the HSGC and may not possess another animal for 90-days, as this case was also a first-time summary offense of animal cruelty.
The three adult dogs from both cases will eventually be available for adoption, Gapen said.
“The Humane Society of Greene County will incur their (ongoing) expensive veterinary bills. If people would like to donate to their continued care, the donations will be appreciated,” Gapen said.
Checks can be made payable to the Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, Pa. 15370.