Several dogs found neglected inside camper in Oakdale, suspect facing more than 50 charges
An Oakdale man is now behind bars for more than 50 charges related to animal cruelty. Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to capture the suspect, file the case, and get the dogs proper treatment.
Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus said his office went full steam ahead after learning about the deplorable conditions in which seven dogs were living in a camper in Oakdale.
"It's a heinous crime," Kraus said. "To treat animals in that way is completely sickening."
His office tracked down their owner to a trailer in Bulger, Washington County, and arrested him just after 6 a.m. Saturday morning. They received credible information that 36-year-old Joshua Humes was planning to run away, instead of following through with an agreement to surrender to officers on Monday.
"I'm very glad we were able to find this individual sooner than later," Kraus said.
North Fayette police filed more than 50 charges against Humes for animal cruelty and neglect after receiving an anonymous complaint and finding six puppies and an adult pit bull inside an unsanitary camper on the property of JT Landscaping off Noblestown Road.
Court records describe the dogs living with no air conditioning, in cages containing about "six to eight inches of feces..." surrounded by more filth, old dog food, and trash that had been left there for "several months."
In reaching out to the landscaping company owner, Joe Tortorea, he directed KDKA to a statement on his business's Facebook page.
Tortorea said Humes was his employee for years, and last November, he allowed him to keep a camper there for two weeks. Instead, it turned into nine months and several attempts at making Humes remove it. Tortorea also said they made multiple calls to police, but each time they responded, he said officers considered the conditions "satisfactory... so no action was taken," until a zoning officer got involved.
The dogs are now being cared for by the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh in Homewood, which seized the animals on July 1.
Michele Frennier with the agency said their humane officer told her they were in some of the worst conditions they've ever seen.
They're now rehabbing the pups, which are about six months old. The adult dog is being fostered.
"They're really a-socialized, so they're not just under-socialized. They just don't have any of those skills, anything," Frennier said.
Frennier said when the dogs came in, all were underweight and some had dental issues, but they're improving, and it could be weeks to months before they can be adopted.
"We have a team of training and enrichment folks who are working with them, really teaching them how to be around other dogs, around people," Frennier said.
Humes remains in Allegheny County jail without bail.
KDKA reached out to North Fayette police to see if anyone else would face charges, but has not heard back at this time.
The shelter also said they're at more than 90% capacity for dogs. They urge people, if they're feeling overwhelmed as pet owners, to contact them. They have resources to help, so they can keep their animals in their homes.