Two Slippery Rock Township residents have been charged after several animals and children were living in “deplorable conditions” at their home.
Police arrived with a search warrant on January 18 at a property on the 100 block of Saniga Road in Slippery Rock Township. During the search police allege that the property contained over 61 animals, which included 10 dead alpacas. There were also five children living in the home, leading to Butler County CYS to be called and remove the children from the premises.
According to charging documents, the home smelled of urine and feces. The floors were also covered in trash, clothing, and toys and what appeared to be a child’s bedroom was where two Great Danes were staying. Documents also said that the “ammonia smell in the room was such that it burnt one’s nostrils and lungs.”
The residents of the property 53-year-old Kenneth Hess and 39-year-old Nicole Hess are facing several charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, neglect of animals, and a single charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
All animals were removed from the property with living animals receiving immediate veterinarian care.
