Over a year after a dog was found severely neglected in Pittston, on February 8, 2023, at Pittston City Hall, the Pittston City Police Department, the Luzerne County District Attorney, and the Mayor of Pittston, held a press conference to announce that 24-years-old SHANIQWA SHANTEL SCOTT and 30-years-old TERIK WIGGINGS (both pictured), both of Wilkes Barre, were apprehended on felony arrest warrants for aggravated cruelty to animals and other related charges.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by Voice For Us, on June 8, 2021, the Pittston City Police Department received multiple reports about an abandoned dog in a fabric crate. Officers responded to Davis Alley and found a Pitbull puppy, now widely known as Nova. “The dog appeared to be severely malnourished and unkempt,” stated the affidavit. Nova had been dumped as if she was an unwanted and useless old item. Nova was left to die!
The SPCA of Luzerne County took custody of Nova and took her to the Shoemaker Animal Hospital in Wyoming, where she was placed under the medical care of Dr. Sara McGarry. Dr. McGarry reported that Nova was found to be suffering from severe emaciation, severe dermatitis, a severe ear infection, fleas, hookworm, angular limb deformity, severely overgrown nails and anemia.
Dr. McGarry concluded that Nova could have died if she had not received medical care.
Since then, investigators have been canvassing the area to locate any video surveillance that would help identify the dog’s guardians and/or the individuals who abandoned her.
Investigators made contact with multiple residents on Butler Street who had an Xfinity Camera and a Ring Doorbell camera affixed above their front doors and reviewed the video surveillance from June 7th and 8th. On the videos, investigators observed a Ford Explorer travel east on Butler Street which became object of further investigation.
Still images of the suspected vehicle were enhanced and circulated in the news and on various forms of social media in an attempt to solicit the public's help in identifying the vehicle and the occupants.
On June 14, 2021, investigators spoke with the maintenance manager for the Hanover Village Apartments and learned that in December 2020, the maintenance manager was inside apartment 707 and noticed a young brown Pitbull puppy who was not well and not well taken care of. That apartment was rented to SCOTT and her boyfriend WIGGINS. Investigators further learned that WIGGINS was driving the same Ford Explorer captured by the surveillance cameras and that became object of investigation in Nova's abandonment.
Investigators went on tirelessly and followed several other leads that made possible the arrest of SCOTT and WIGGINS. As Pittston City Police said, the apprehension of SCOTT and WIGGINS, is the result of “an extremely lengthy investigation.”
Luzerne County First Assistant District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce explained that modern technology led to the discovery of SCOTT and WIGGINS and said: “This case involved not only new, modern technology search warrants for electronics and other such devices with what is called geofencing warrants.”
SCOTT and WIGGINS were arraigned by Magistrate Judge, Alexandra Kokura Kravitz, and bail was set at $50,000 each. Neither SCOTT, or WIGGINS were able to post it and were transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility where they await their preliminary hearings which are scheduled for February 21, 2023.
Both SCOTT and WIGGINS have each been charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death, one count of cruelty to animals, one count of neglect to animals for veterinary care, and one count of neglect of animals for shelter/protection.
In a news release, the Pittston City Police Department said: “We can’t go without recognizing the enormous amount of help we received from the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, surrounding police agencies and the public to help us bring justice to Nova.”
Mayor Michael Lombardo said he will continue to bring justice to those in need. “As we go forward, I will continue to, in my position as Mayor, make sure our department has what it needs to do, to get these cases solved,” he said.
Since being rescued, Nova has fully recovered! She is now a furmember of former Pittston City Police Chief, Neil Murphy’s family. Nova was present at the press conference.
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.
SCOTT and WIGGINS’ mugshots were provided to Voice For Us by Luzerne County First Assistant District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce.
