LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A Caernarvon Township man was arrested Friday and charged with 84 counts of animal cruelty.
Seth Lins, 35, faces seven felony counts, 27 misdemeanors and 50 summary counts of animal cruelty, ranging from aggravated cruelty to animals, neglect of animals (vet care and shelter/protection) and cruelty to animals, court documents show.
The charges stem from a search of Lins’ property by the Pennsylvania SPCA on September 4, where the Humane Law Enforcement team rescued 55 dogs and puppies: 22 Cane Corsos, 16 French Bulldogs, 13 Border Collies, three Pomskis and one Doberman Pinscher.
The Pennsylvania SPCA said it received a complaint a day prior from Dr. Danielle Ward, State Veterinarian with Dog Law, regarding an unlicensed kennel run by Lins.
“Dr. Ward stated there were over 40 adult dogs and puppies living in unsanitary conditions with feces and urine throughout the house,” charging documents said. “Dr. Ward stated there were several of the canines on location with medical issues that require veterinary treatment.”
Around 11:46 a.m. on September 4, the Humane Law Enforcement team arrived at Lins’ property, where they saw two fenced in areas that with dogs and observed no shelter for them while outside.
The Pennsylvania SPCA said Lins responded at the door and its officers entered the home, where “a foul odor consistent with animal urine and feces was noted upon entry to the home,” according to charging documents.
While searching the residence, officers allegedly observed discolored water inside water bottles (as a means of water in lieu of dishes), wet wood shavings that had a strong ammonia odor consistent with urine that was laid on the floor for the puppies, puppies with wet and foul odor that also appeared with staining on their legs consistent with unsanitary conditions and dog who had a bloodied injury on his nose with a possible infection, as well as a puppy who appeared thin with wheezing, charging documents said.
The Pennsylvania SPCA added that many of the dogs rescued were suffering from severe respiratory infections and at least one puppy required surgery due to infection related to the severity of her pneumonia.
Since being rescued, 26 were surrendered to the Pennsylvania SPCA. All but one of the dogs have been adopted — the remaining dog required eye surgery and is in the recovery process, the Pennsylvania SPCA said.
The other 29 dogs are housed under protective custody of the Pennsylvania SPCA pending Lins relinquishing them or through the adjudication of the court case.
“Today the Pennsylvania SPCA’s has fulfilled its promise, bringing to account the individual responsible for the suffering of numerous dogs and puppies,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement at the Pennsylvania SPCA. “We are grateful for the continued support of the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office and look forward to the day the remaining dogs in our care are able to find loving homes.”
Anyone with information about this case or other cases involving animal cruelty should call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at 866-601-7722. Tips can be left anonymously.
