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- Pennsylvania, USA -


~ Update: July 10, 2023



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.










- West Virginia, USA -



~ Update: August 9, 2022


I have emailed Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley and inquired about all the furbabies.


He kindly responded to my email and told me that at the home there was a Mama dog who is between 2-3 years old. He said she is possibly a Pitbull mix. The mom gave birth to a total of 11 puppies.

Two of the puppies were found deceased and eaten by the other dogs.

Three puppies who were found alive were removed but sadly, passed away within 24 hours because their mom was too emaciated to produce milk. Overnight, the mom then delivered another 6 puppies all stillborn.


The Sheriff also said there was a Miniature Pincher mix who is about 5 years old. The furbaby was found completely malnourished and dehydrated.


An 8-month-old Blue healer mix was found locked in a room with no food or water, covered in fleas.

Additionally, there was the dog who was seen by a neighbor getting on the roof of DODSON’s home.

All the furbabies had worms and were infested with fleas. They are now at the Fayette Veterinary Hospital in the care of Dr. Matt Faulkner.




~ Original story:


On Friday, August 5, 2022, deputies with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department received a call about possible animal cruelty in Glen Ferris. The caller told deputies that the night before, in the neighborhood, someone had seen a dog climb out of a window onto the roof of a house. The caller went on to tell deputies that when that witness went to that home to tell resident that their dog was on the roof, “they witnessed what appeared to be multiple deceased puppies, feces and urine all over the floor, and other dogs that seemed extremely malnourished” said Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley.


Deputies and Animal Control responded to the reported home and discovered dead puppies who appeared to have been consumed by the other dogs inside the property.

The conditions inside the residence were deplorable.


The live dogs were taken to a veterinarian where they were deemed malnourished and neglected.


In connection with this case, deputies charged 25-years-old MIA JO DODSON (pictured), with seven counts of MISDEMEANOR animal cruelty.

Online records show that DODSON, of Hico, is being held on $10,000 cash bail in Southern Regional Jail while she awaits further court proceedings.


Sheriff Fridley said anyone with information about this case should call the department at (304) - 574 - 3590 or contact Crime Stoppers of West Virginia at (304) - 255 - STOP. Thank you!


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




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