Harmar Township Police have arrested 23-years-old JOHN ANTHONY WELLS (pictured) after being wanted on charges of animal cruelty and neglect.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by Voice For Us, on February 11, 2022, the Department was contacted by Mr. Al Bocheck about an abandoned dog at a property owned by him and his wife on 489 Nixon Road in Cheswick.
Officer Fechke responded to the scene and spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Bocheck who in the meantime were caring for the dog.
The couple told Officer Fechke that due to the apparent unhealthy condition of the furbaby, they were making arrangements to take the dog to an animal hospital for immediate evaluation and treatment.
Harmar Township Police tell me that the furbaby is a 4-5-year-old male Border Collie mix breed.
Mr. and Mrs. Bocheck told Officer Fechke that they were renting the property to WELLS and he had not been at the home for three full weeks.
The Bochecks also told Officer Fechke that WELLS told them the dog was his service dog.
Officer Fechke reported that the dog “was very emaciated, his fur was matted and stained with urine and fecal matter.”
He further reported that during WELLS’ absence, the furbaby was left crated in the basement, without food or water inside a 36.5" x 32,2" x 24.7" cage.
Officer Fechke contacted the nonprofit Animal Friends and spoke with Justin Galvin who agreed to assist him with the investigation. Mr. Galvin then took custody of the furbaby for additional care and treatment.
About a month later, on March 14, 2022, Officer Fechke met with Mr. Galvin to discuss the dog's evaluation, treatment, and health condition and learned that the day after the dog was removed from the home, he had been examined and treated by Dr. Denise Pleban of Animal Friends.
A medical examination revealed that the dog's body weight was 29.7 pounds.
His body score was listed as 1, indicating extreme emaciation. The medical report also revealed muscle atrophy of the front and hind legs, including the hips. The MCS (muscle condition score) was also listed as severe.
Dr. Pleban additionally reported that the dog's ribs, spine, and hips were very prominent, indicating extreme dehydration and malnourishment.
As of March 9, 2022, the dog had a weight of 41.4 pounds.
The increase of 11.7 pounds in a span of about one month proves that the furbaby’s weight at the time of recovery ”was directly related to neglect of the animal and not the result of genetics or illness”, stated the complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, WELLS returned to the property on March 10, 2022, and asked Mr. and Mrs. Bocheck about his mail but did not mention his dog!
Officer Fechke requested a warrant for WELLS’ arrest.
He was taken into custody on two counts of cruelty to animals, two counts of aggravated cruelty, and four counts of neglect.
WELLS was booked into the Allegheny County Jail.
The furbaby’s pictures were kindly provided to Voice For Us by Harmar Township Police.
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