- Pennsylvania, USA -
~ Update: July 10, 2023
I heard back from Angels of Mercy Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency.
I was kindly provided with the furbabies’ pictures before their rescue and after their treatment.
As you can see, they were skin and bones when they were rescued from Hell!
Reese and Rusty have both been adopted. Reese, renamed Toby, is the one who was adopted by the husband of the veterinarian who treated him.
~ Original story:
35-years-old CHARLOTTE MARIE UPTON is facing felony animal cruelty charges after two dogs were found in poor condition in her home.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Voice For Us, on March 11, 2022, Union Town Police responded to a home on 17 Maple Street, Dunbar Borough, Fayette County, for a welfare check on two dogs.
The responding officer reported that as he walked into the living room, he was hit with the unbearable smell of feces and urine.
In the kitchen, the officer found two dogs kept in two separate crates and dog feces caked inside them. The officer also noticed moisture on the bottom of the crates that appeared to be urine.
There was no food or water in the crates nor in the residence for the Voiceless Victims.
According to the complaint, “The dogs appeared to be full blooded boxers” brown and white in color and were identified as a 2-year-old named Reese, and a 4-year-old named Rusty.
Police said that Reese and Rusty were so skinny to the point that the officer could see their ribs and spines showing. According to the complaint, when the officer asked UPTON when the last time she gave them food or water was, she replied: “probably a few days.”
The officer further reported that he could wrap his hand around Reese’s stomach and spine.
UPTON agreed to surrender Reese and Rusty to the nonprofit Angels of Mercy Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency.
On the same day, Reese and Rusty were examined by veterinarians at MedVet Pittsburgh.
The furbabies were both emaciated and dehydrated.
Reese's body count score was 1/9 and Rusty's was 2/9.
Blood work showed elevated kidney and liver values. At this point vets would check the animal’s urine to determine if it was a case of dehydration or kidney disease, but Reese and Rusty “did not have any urine to sample.” The furvictims were hospitalized to start IV fluids.
The criminal complaint filed at Fayette County Magisterial District Court on June 30, 2023, accuses UPTON of intentionally or knowingly causing serious bodily injury to Reese and Rusty or the death of Reese and Rusty.
UPTON is also accused of not providing food or water to Reese and Rusty for an unknown amount of time causing severe dehydration and starvation.
Additionally, UPTON kept Reese and Rusty locked in a small cage with dog feces caked where the dogs had to stand on top of it due to it overflowing out of the side of the wire cage.
Finally, UPTON did not get Reese or Rusty medical attention when they were in extreme distress.
I contacted Angels of Mercy Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency to inquire about the well-being of the Voiceless Victims and I was told: “They both are doing great. They both were adopted. One of them was adopted by the vets husband.”
I also requested pictures of Reese and Rusty. Should I receive them I will add them to the article.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Link included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #dogs #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #pennsylvania #fayettecounty #dunbar
I so appreciate the diligence of the author of Voice for Us. This is a heartbreaking job with little to none good news. Bless these precious souls & may they heal & experience love.