Animal cruelty charges filed against two, months after search warrant executed

ZION GROVE – Two people are facing dozens of charges related to animal cruelty, months after a search warrant was executed at a home in Union Township.

Charges were filed Wednesday against Joseph L. Salotti, 64, 330 Trout Run Road, and Karen Williams, 57, of 431 Willing Street, Tamaqua, by Detective Shawn Butler of the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office.

Both are facing 27 counts related to animal cruelty after a search warrant was executed on their property at 276 and 330 Trout Run Road in Zion Grove and dozens of animals were removed in April.

According to court documents, Williams and Salotti are “considered persons whom had a duty of care with respect to animals kept between the properties.”

Those documents, filed in Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli’s Frackville court, say the investigation began in February when Dana Mansell, a Humane Society Enforcement Officer, was contacted by Union Township Supervisor David Briggs regarding concerns for animals at the two properties.

Mansell and Briggs visited the properties on Feb. 15. Mansell reported a “foul odor of rotting garbage emanating from the residence upon approach from the driveway,” Butler wrote in the criminal complaint.

“Copious amounts of garbage” was “strewn about the property,” Mansell reported, which made the residence “almost completely hidden.”

When Mansell knocked on the door at the home, Williams and Salotti came from behind the residence. Dogs could be heard inside the residence, Mansell reported.

After identifying herself and explaining why she was there, Mansell said she asked to see the animals. She was not permitted inside the residence, but the pair brought the animals outside for Mansell.

Four small breed dogs were brought outside, who, Mansell said, appeared slender. Williams told Mansell those were the only dogs present.

When asked if any other animals were present, Williams and Salotti escorted Mansell to the shed on the property, which was surrounded by chain link fencing. Inside were three ducks, a large rooster, and four goats.

The larger of the goats, referred to as “Momma,” had six inch hooves that were split, Mansell said, and the goat’s discomfort was evident. The bedding area was moist and soiled with fecal matter, Mansell reported.

A shed enclosure was available for the animals, Mansell reported, with corn offered as the main food source for all within. The water bowls inside contained a green-ish brown frozen liquid.

Both Williams and Salotti told Mansell that they hadn’t had the opportunity to care for the animals yet that day.

Mansell asked if any additional animals were present. Williams and Salotti both said no. While the three spoke about the violations on the property, Mansell heard chickens.

A chicken coop on the property contained six chickens and a strong odor of ammonia emanated from the coop, Mansell reported.

No food and little water was available in the coop. The water dish, Mansell reported, was covered in fecal matter.

At 330 Trout Run Road, a pen contained two mini horses and two enclosures contained a goose and a duck. A barn on the property contained 10 potbelly pigs. The path to the barn was lined with rotting trash, Mansell reported.

“Mansell stated the initial odor of fecal matter, urine, and ammonia took her breath away,” Butler wrote in the criminal complaint, describing entering the barn.

All of the pigs, Mansell said, were suffering from crusty skin conditions which caused hair loss, and some had overgrown tusks.

A horse was also kept on the property, in a horse pen, and it appeared to be healthy, Mansell reported.

Follow-Up

A follow-up visit was made on Feb. 20. Mansell expressed concern for the goat named “Momma” and Williams turned over ownership of the goat to the Hillside SPCA so the goat could be treated.

No change in conditions were reported that day, Mansell said.

Another follow-up was made on Feb. 28. Few changes in conditions were reported, but more animals were found on the property.

Four rabbits, a lame duck, several brown chickens, and a white chicken were found, Mansell reported.

The chickens’ feet appeared to be swollen and the white chicken’s back end appeared fiery red and bare.

The pig’s stalls showed improvement, but clean water was still not available. The pigs were treated for mites.

The mini horses appeared to be cared for, Mansell reported. The duck and goose still had no clean shelter or clean food and water dishes.

On March 14, a meeting was held with the township, Union Township Police, Ringtown Valley Fire, the Schuylkill Conservation District, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to establish a plan to assist the residents and animals at the properties.

Mansell followed up against on April 4. Neither Williams or Salotti answered at that time.

She returned on April 6 and met Salotti in the driveway. Salotti told Mansell he didn’t want her to look at the property that day “as he was behind on chores due to a disabled vehicle.” Mansell asked to speak to Williams, who permitted Mansell to come to the house and inspect the property.

Mansell reported more garbage was accumulating outside.

“There was little to no change in living conditions again,” Butler wrote in the criminal complaint.

Another follow-up was made on April 27 and no significant improvements to the animal’s care, surroundings, or the residence were noted.

Mansell once again heard dogs barking and asked Salotti about how many were inside the home. Salotti said seven were inside.

Mansell reaffirmed that she had been trying to work with the pair to improve the living conditions and care of all the animals present.

Search warrant executed

That night, Mansell applied for a search warrant, which was granted by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker, Shenandoah.

Around 10:30am April 28, the search warrant was executed at 276 Trout Run Road. Nearly 70 animals were seized, including 34 dogs, 12 rabbits, 18 cats, three goats, and a tortoise.

Just after 1pm that day, a warrant was executed on 330 Trout Run Road and ten potbelly pigs, one duck, and one goose were seized.

Not all animals were removed, as there weren’t enough resources available to accomodate the remaining animals.

On April 30, a fire was reported at 276 Trout Run Road. Mansell responded immediately and requested a consent search of the property, which was granted.

Over 40 more animals were seized at that time, including four goats, three pigs, eight ducks, and 29 chickens.

On Dec. 14, Mansell, Butler and Assistant District Attorney Karen Noon met to review all medical records to ascertain the grading of charges being prepared.

A veterinarian from Quakertown evaluated three of the ducks, which she recommended be euthanized because of the impacts of their injuries on their quality of life.

The vet reported that one duck, “Eliza,” was showing evidence of missing distal limbs on both feet.

“[Eliza] is unable to participate in normal duck behaviors, such as swimming, as she would be at risk of drowning due to her lack of lower limbs,” the vet reported.

Another duck, “Burr,” had a contracted left foot with chronic pain and dyspnea, and a third duck, “Theodoja,” had a left limb malunion, resulting from a previous broken limb and lack of medical care.

A cocker-spaniel, “Marley,” was evaluated by a vet from Schuylkill Haven who said the dog suffered from end-stage glaucoma and a malformed leg.

In total, Williams and Salotti were charged with 27 counts of various charges as follows:

• Five counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals,
• Nine counts of summary neglect of animals – sustenance/water,
• Nine counts of misdemeanor neglect of animals – shelter/protection
• Four counts of summary neglect of animals – vet care.

A count was charged for each species the crime was committed against, with the exception of felony aggravated cruelty to animals, which was charged for each individual animal.

As of Tuesday evening, neither had been arrested, according to court dockets available online.

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