Jeannette woman arrested after police find dead dog and children living in filth
JEANNETTE, PA — A Jeannette woman was taken into custody after police discovered a dead dog and deplorable living conditions inside her Bullitt Avenue home, authorities said Friday.
Terry Harmon faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty, animal cruelty, and multiple counts of endangering the welfare of children. Police said the investigation began when children living in the home told officers a dog had died on the property.
On August 21, Jeannette Police, along with Humane Officers and Animal Control, executed a search warrant. Officers reported smelling a strong odor immediately upon entering. Inside, they found one emaciated dog, which was removed from the home, and another dog deceased in a cardboard box on the back porch, covered in maggots.
Police said the interior of the home was littered with trash, insect-infested, and unsafe, including a collapsed ceiling in one room. Due to uninhabitable conditions, the Jeannette Fire Department condemned the property. All responding officers and a patrol vehicle had to be decontaminated for fleas.
Authorities confirmed that the children previously living there are now in the care of another adult. Harmon was arraigned and sent to Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post bail.
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Key Points
- Jeannette woman charged after dead dog and unsafe home conditions discovered
- Children removed from the residence and placed in safe care
- House condemned as uninhabitable and infested with fleas