#lebanoncountypa

- Pennsylvania, USA -

Thanks to a resident who recorded a despicable act of animal cruelty, two low lives in Lebanon County are now facing charges.

On the afternoon of January 20, 2025, two male subjects in a field near the intersection of SR 501 and Locust Street in Heidelberg Township, were witnessed harassing a red fox and trying to run him/her over while on their snowmobile.

The video recorded by the witness was turned over to the Pennsylvania Game Commission- Southeast Region and the agency took to Facebook their appeal for the community to come forward with information.

Part of the Facebook post read: “The state game warden’s investigation suggested the fox was being chased through the field for more than 30 minutes by two individuals operating snowmobiles. The suspects ran over the fox multiple times with their snowmobiles during the horrific incident.”

State Game Warden Zach Salsgiver told WGAL: “Public outreach was immediate, and we received dozens of tips.”

On January 24, 2025, 20-year-old JEFFREY S. HORST, of Myerstown, and a 17-year-old turned themselves in.

Zach Salsgiver said they admitted to chasing the fox with the intent of running him/her over.

HORST and the juvenile were charged with two misdemeanors, cruelty to animals and conspiracy of animal cruelty, as well as four summary charges. Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said by law, the juvenile’s name cannot be released. In court documents, the juvenile is identified as “A.S.B.”

A preliminary hearing is set to take place on March 6, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Verna.

Sadly, the fox was not found when officials went to the location, so they are not sure whether or not he/she died.

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.