By EMILY BENNETT DILULLO
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About 150 cats and even dogs, chickens and gerbils were rescued from a woman’s properties in Donora and Monessen following a years-long investigation into animal cruelty and neglect.
Armed with search warrants, police and humane agents seized the animals at about 7:15 a.m., said Kirsten Peek, a spokeswoman for the national humane society. The Animal Rescue Team still was transporting the animals to an undisclosed shelter as of 5 p.m., according to Peek, who said the final tally of rescued animals could go higher.
Christie Dee Harr, 41, of Donora was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals – torture and aggravated cruelty to animals – causing severe bodily injury or death related to a incident dating back to June 22.
Charges related to the seizure of the animals Wednesday are pending, officials said.
Investigators began investigating Harr on June 22 when they received warrants to search her properties at 320 Second St., Donora — one, a Victorian style home and the other a dilapidated church — and more than 104 cats were documented.
One ill cat named Linus was seized in order to receive immediate veterinary care. Linus tested positive for feline Leukemia, a highly contagious and potentially fatal infection, police said.
Humane society officials requested Linus be surrendered to its care, but Harr refused.
Authorities went back to the Donora properties on Aug. 26, and said the site had significantly deteriorated since the last visit. Harr informed humane society officials she purchased a new property at 676 Reed Ave. in Monessen, where she was allegedly running an animal rescue operation under the name “Animal Orphans Rescue.”
Armed with new search warrants, agents raided the properties shortly before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Washington County Assistant District Attorney John Friedmann said the Washington County Humane Society has been investigating incidents involving Harr dating back to 2016.
“I know the humane society attempted to provide assistance to Ms. Harr throughout their time that they were interacting with her, and unfortunately it’s come to this,” Friedmann said. “We’re glad that Linus, the feline Leukemia positive cat, is going to be doing well and that the rest of these cats are going to be saved, the dogs and chickens as well, from these horrendous circumstances.”
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