04-04-2025
Franklin County pet owners charged after animals found living in feces, trash filled home
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Multiple pets, including a dead dog, were found neglected, suffering from numerous medical emergencies, and living in a filthy Franklin County home, according to Troopers.
The owners, Vicky Moore, 56, and her son Luke Bennet, 28, both of Mercersburg, face 45 charges each after the animals were discovered living in a home with trash, feces, urine, and a 'strong' smell of ammonia throughout it, the charges filed by Troopers Thursday show.
An officer with the Pennsylvania Humane Society reported March 14 to Troopers about the animals living in the home while the officer was checking the property. Troopers said they were 'immediately overwhelmed' by the odors coming from the house when Bennett answered the door.
Bennett mentioned burying a dog in the backyard after it died due to worms and how two other littermates were very thin. He then provided the two dogs that had open sores and smelled, and those dogs were then taken from him for medical attention.
Before the home could even be searched, Troopers said that hazmat suits and masks had to be put on due to the strong ammonia smell.
Five dogs, including the two that were already taken for medical treatment, a cat, and a rabbit were found living in the home. Troopers said the animals were anemic, infested with fleas, smelled or urine and feces, they all had numerous injuries that were not treated, and they were malnourished.
The dead dog that was inside a Chewy box appeared to be severely emaciated and had muscle wasting, the charges show.
Bennett said that due to him being unemployed, they could not afford care, however, Moore was employed, making $25 an hour plus overtime. Bank statements showed purchases such as an OnlyFans subscription, Xbox, Pokémon items, and weed that was bought in Maryland.
Moore is quoted saying they 'just did not think of it,' when asked why they did not use their money for vet care, the charges show. They did buy deworming medication before, but that did not help the dogs' condition.
Both of them face felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals.
They are in Franklin County Prison after Magisterial District Judge Jody Eyer set their bail at $75,000 each. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for April 15.
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