- Pennsylvania, USA -
~ Update: August 31, 2022
On Monday, August 29, 2022, Mercer County Common Pleas President judge Daniel P. Wallace sentenced 54-years-old old PHILIP SCHAEFER (pictured) to 3-12 months in Mercer County Jail followed by 5 years’ probation. A condition while he is on probation or parole is that he cannot have any animals.
In March 2022, officers with the Mercer County Humane Society responded to a property in Springfield Township after being alerted by neighbors to dead animals.
A search warrant led to the gruesome discovery of deceased animals “strewn all over.”
The live animals were malnourished and none of them had access to food or water.
Neighbors told officers they believed SCHAEFER had left three months prior and they had tried to feed the animals the best they could but sadly some of them did not survive.
Chief Humane Officer Paul Tobin told WFMJ they probably froze to death.
SCHAEFER was charged with 37 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and 108 misdemeanor counts of neglect of animals. He pleaded guilty to one consolidated count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
In sentencing judge Wallace told SCHAEFER: “You’re in front of a judge that loves animals”, and yet this scum will not be spending years behind bars but months!!!!
The Herald reports that judge Wallace also ordered SCHAEFER “to attend mental health treatment sessions.”
I believe that given this ridiculous sentence Wallace needs some of that treatment too!
#animalcruelty #animalslivesmatter #neglectedanimals #abandonedanimals #deadanimals #springfieldtownship #mercercounty #pennsylvania
~ Original story:
On March 10, police officers with the Mercer County Humane Society were called to a property on 620 Millburn Road, Springfield Township, about dead animals.
The following day a search warrant granted by District Judge Brian R. Arthur was executed on the property.
WFMJ reports that upon arrival officers discovered deceased animals “strewn all over.”
The live animals were malnourished and none of them had access to food or water.
Neighbors told officers they believed the owner had left three months prior and they had tried to feed the animals the best they could but sadly some of them did not survive.
Chief Humane Officer Paul Tobin told WFMJ they probably froze to death.
He said among the deceased animals were 17 ducks, 16 chickens, 1 dog found on a short chain, 1 goat found tied to a pole, and 4 yearlings.
Officers also found the bones of a horse and the bones of two guinea pigs.
Inside the property officials discovered two empty reptile cages.
Additionally, officers located 2 live dogs who were extremely emaciated and 4 emaciated goats.
Chief Tobin said there were two 7-gallon containers filled with scratch and corn and five or six bales of hay.
Investigators learned the property was being rented to 54-year-old PHILIP SCHAEFER (pictured) who was not there at the time of the search.
He was arrested on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 15.
SCHAEFER, of 1567 South Center Street, Grove City, was charged with 37 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and 108 misdemeanor counts of neglect of animals.
Chief Tobin said about the case: “This was flat-out neglect and cruelty” and added: “All he had to do was go feed them. He chose not to do so.”
SCHAEFER was released from Mercer County Jail after posting bond and waived his right to a hearing in district court on March 24, before District Judge Daniel W. Davis.
Judge Davis scheduled an arraignment in Common Pleas for May 24, 2022, and ordered an evaluation by the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission.
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