Couple charged after over a dozen pets found suffering in Blair County home
DUNCANSVILLE, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Duncansville couple was charged Friday stemming from an investigation when multiple pets, including eleven poodles, were found suffering in their home in August.
Gary and Karen Lombardo, age 71 and 70 respectively, are facing a slew of charges relating to the neglect of and cruelty to 11 standard poodles, four chihuahua mixes and one cat, all rescued by the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.
The humane society said they saved seven poodles on Aug. 19. A few days later they said they were called back to the Lombardo residence to rescue another eight dogs and a cat.
According to charges filed, a Central PA Humane Society officer was tipped off about dogs living in deplorable conditions in the couple's Foot of Ten residence. When arriving, officers said they could smell urine and feces as they walked towards the house and heard dogs barking.
Officers said that Gary came outside when they knocked and they asked to see the pets. Gary allegedly took them to the garage where two chihuahua mixes were found in a cage without food or water. According to the criminal complaint, officers asked to see the poodles in the home. Karen then came outside and instead of letting officers in, they brought each poodle out one by one. It was noted that Karen stated they never leave the house and they use a tarp inside to go to the bathroom.
Over a dozen malnourished, neglected pets rescued from Blair County house
The animals were taken to the humane society, but police weren't done yet. Just two days later, officers said they saw a Facebook post from Karen offering free poodles to anyone who could take them, citing health reasons as why she couldn't keep them.
According to the complaint, police went back to the home where Gary ultimately surrendered six more poodles, two chihuahuas and a cat. They were also taken to the humane society.
The society said it took multiple groomers countless hours over five days to deal with the poodles, many with matted fur of urine and feces. Some poodles had to be sedated due to the pain, they told officers.
In total, groomers at the shelter removed a whopping 68 pounds of fur weighed down by feces, urine and filth, the complaint reads.
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The couple is now facing multiple neglect and cruelty charges for each poodle as well as a slew of summary offenses for things such as failing to have licenses or vaccinations against rabies.
