[Animal] Couple faces charges after police say more than 60 animals were found in deplorable conditions

[FazzNoth]

AWestmoreland County couple is facing multiple charges of animal cruelty after police said 61 animals were removed from their Monessen home in deplorable conditions.

Monessen police said they were called to the home of Ryan and Charlotte Fiem on Schoonmaker Avenue. According to a criminal complaint, officers found cats dogs and chickens on the property, many of them in small coups and cages and visibly emaciated.

 

"They needed help and we're lucky we were able to get in there fast and get everybody out," Jen Johnson, President of Ninth Life Rescue Center, said.

The complaint said one of the cats died before they could be treated. Johnson said one cat lost both eyes and three others lost one eye. All of the cats are also being treated for ringworm.

The other animals were taken to All But Furgotten.

Pittsburgh's Action News 4 spoke with Charlotte Fiem Thursday. She claims she was the one who initially contacted a neighbor and sought help for the animals.

"Next thing I know, they're coming here with police and code officers and treating us like we're dirty people and cruel to animals," Fiem said. "I've never hurt animals in my life. I love them."

 

Fiem said she became overwhelmed with the number of animals, and admitted the kittens needed veterinary care. She claimed she called multiple shelters in recent years, but no one was able to help her.

The Fiems have a preliminary hearing scheduled for July. Ninth Life Rescue took in 32 of the cats that were recovered. Johnson estimated it will cost thousands to treat them. The non-profit organization is seeking donations to help cover the costs of treatment and food.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/couple-faces-charges-after-police-say-more-than-60-animals-were-found-in-deplorable-conditions/ar-AAYxsFC?ocid=BingNewsSearch