CAMP HILL, Pa. — Police in Cumberland County have charged a Camp Hill couple with cruelty to animals and other offenses related to their alleged mistreatment of two dogs and eight puppies, which police claim were kept in a shed full of urine and feces.
Brian Geyer, 45, and Kelly Keefer, 30, both of Camp Hill, are also charged with two counts each of animal neglect, according to Lower Allen Township Police.
Authorities began investigating the couple when they were dispatched to their Wentworth Drive home in response to an animal noise complaint on March 13. A caller complained about the noise of dogs barking, according to police.
Responding officers made contact with Geyer, who said he was keeping an adult dog in a shed behind his home. The dog was supposed to be picked up by someone who was going to give it a new home, Geyer claimed.
Police accompanied Geyer to the back yard, where they found evidence of a fence, potentially to contain dogs, was being constructed.
When the officers looked inside they shed, the complaint states, they were “immediately struck by the overwhelming odor of feces and urine, even from several feet away.”
Police found eight newborn golden retriever puppies being stored in a large black crate that was suspended on a wooden platform about three feet off the floor.
Under the crate, police claim, there were two large totes full of urine and feces. Neither tote appeared to have ever been emptied, according to police. There was also waste found on the bars of the crate, which police said were secured by zip ties.
Police also found an empty food bowl and water that looked old and contaminated with feces inside the crate, according to the complaint. There was also a mix of old, moldy food mixed with feces on the floor of the shed, police said.
Another puppy was discovered in a second crate, which did not contain food or water, police said.
There were also two adult dogs stored in other crates in the shed, neither of which had access to water or food, according to police.
Geyer allegedly claimed there were space heaters and air conditioners in the shed, but police could not find any. The arresting officer noted the temperature at the time was 42 degrees, and that the puppies were shivering.
Investigators also spoke to Keefer, who allegedly admitted the shed did not have any heat source.
Geyer allegedly told police he was looking to get rid of the animals, according to the complaint.
Police removed a total of 11 dogs from the shed for treatment. They were found have matted hair, overgrown nails, and debris stuck to their fur, according to police.
