A Northern Indiana County Man now faces 90 counts involving cruelty to animals.
State Police from the Punxsutawney Barracks have charged Thomas F. McDaniel, Jr. of North Mahoning Township with fifteen counts each of felony aggravated cruelty to animals-torture, cruelty to animals, misdemeanor neglect -failure to provide shelter, and summary neglect-failure to provide food and water, neglect-failure to provide vet care and summary cruelty to animals. Police say he kept at least 23 dogs of unknown breeds in a detached garage next to his home. The dogs were never permitted to leave the garage and forced to live on top of their own animal waste, which ranged from one to five inches in depth in some areas.
The dogs have been removed and are being taken care of by the Indiana County SPCA. McDaniel was arrested on Thursday and arraigned by District Judge Jennifer Rega in Blairsville and was released $10,000 bail. A preliminary hearing before Judge Rega is set for May 9th.
