- Pennsylvania, USA -
In late December, Pennsylvania State Police out of Bedford County were contacted by Banfield Animal Hospital about several dogs they had recently treated. An investigation led Troopers to a property at 1057 Business 220 in Bedford Township.
Police went to the property on December 30, 2023. Upon arrival, officers were overwhelmed with a smell of dog feces and heard dogs barking inside the home. Since officers were not able to make contact with anyone, they returned to the property the following day and met with 62-years-old RENEE LYNN PIPER and 81-years-old NYAL BARTON PIPER (both pictured), the homeowners.
While talking to the couple, officers saw that several dogs were present in the backyard and they were covered in feces. Officers reported that one of the dogs had an open wound on his/her ear.
At first, the PIPERS told police they had fifteen to sixteen dogs, then, they said there were around sixty dogs on the property.
With the assistance of multiple organizations, including Bedford County Humane Society, Abby’s Angels, Central PA Humane Society, volunteers from the Huntingdon County Humane Society, Brackenridge Veterinary, and Olde Bedford Vet Clinic, ninety-nine Voiceless Victims were removed from the property. Eight cats, ninety dogs, and a turtle were rescued and most of them were placed in the care of the Bedford County Humane Society.
Sadly, officials also found two dead dogs and a dead pig in the home.
According to police, the animals were malnourished and covered in feces and urine and the cages they were in were stacked from the floor to the ceiling.
Four dogs were euthanized at the home, and another at the Bedford County Humane Society due to their condition.
According to a press release by the Bedford County District Attorney’s Office obtained by Voice For Us, on Friday, March 1, 2024, the PIPERS were charged with five hundred charges including animal cruelty, neglect, and aggravated assault of animals, among others. On the same day, they were arraigned before Judge Kevin R. Diehi and bail was set at $1 million for each defendant. At time of writing, records show that the couple are being held in the Bedford County Prison.
Court records show that the PIPERS will be at Bedford County Central Court for their preliminary hearing on the morning of Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 9:00.
Bedford County District Attorney Ashlan Clark said: “Animal cruelty is a crime of violence against extremely vulnerable victims. Investigations like these can take time. There is a lot of information that needed to be collected and reviewed for the most appropriate charges to be filed. The State Police completed a thorough investigation into this matter to ensure an efficient ad successful prosecution.”
DA Clark added: “The atrocious and seemingly intentional mistreatment of these animals is difficult to grasp. We cannot erase the torture and neglect that these animals endured, but we can work to bring them the justice they deserve.”
Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official documents provided to Voice For Us.
Please note that details may be removed or new information added should such sources report an update.
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.
Mugshots provided to Voice For Us by Bedford County Prison.
