McDonald woman charged with animal neglect
Courtesy of Washington Area Humane Society
Muddles eventually had to have a front leg amputated because of an untreated injury.
Courtesy of Washington Area Humane Society
Sarah had an untreated hematoma and a severe ear infection when she was found running loose in McDonald.
A McDonald woman was charged last week with animal neglect after authorities said her two dogs, including one with a badly injured leg that later required amputation, were found running loose on a borough street.
Lana Rase Blue, 29, of 1309 Oakridge Road, McDonald, was charged by Glen Thomson, humane officer for Washington Area Humane Society, with two counts of neglect of animals for failure to provide veterinary care.
Muddles, who is about 6 months old, was brought into the humane society March 13 by Gina Secreet, an animal control officer. The puppy’s mother, Sarah, was brought in as a stray two days later by John Sheldon, state dog warden.
Humane officials said Muddles had a broken leg that had gone untreated for several months and was causing her pain. X-rays also showed the puppy had several broken ribs. It was decided it was in the puppy’s best interest to amputate the leg and relieve her of the pain. Sarah reportedly had a hematoma and severe ear infection that also had been left untreated.
Blue reportedly contacted the humane society on March 16 to claim the dogs, sending photographs of them by email to prove she owned the animals, according to court documents. Thomson talked to her, and she allegedly admitted to not getting veterinary care for the dogs. She has since signed over the dogs to the humane society, said Kelly Proudfit, humane society executive director. Muddles is in a foster-to-adopt program, and Sarah is available for adoption.
The misdemeanor charges were sent to Blue by summons from the office of District Judge Traci McDonald. Blue is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before McDonald May 3.
Donations are being accepted toward the humane society’s Animal Relief Fund, which covers emergency medical treatment. Donations will go straight to the balance still owned on the bill for Muddles’ X-rays and surgery. For more information on donations, go to the humane society website at http://www.washingtonpashelter.org.