FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — A Franklin County duo is facing charges after two dogs were recovered from their property, one dog described as "minutes away from death."
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Jan. 4, two boys stopped by the Blue Ridge Fire Department and informed them that there were two dogs at a home and one "appeared dead."
Police responded to the scene and observed the dogs, one was running around but his ribs and pelvis bones were highly visible. A second dog was also on the property, lying on its side and "extremely thin" with its "entire skeleton" visible. The dog was breathing and would move its head every once in a while.
The owners, Tylor Young and Nicole Wagerman were interviewed by police. Wagerman reportedly identified the dog lying down as "Dixie" and that one dog had recently died, causing Dixie to suffer from depression.
Young and Wagerman reported that the dogs had been fed that morning.
Officers came in contact with Antietam Humane Society, who determined they would take Dixie to an emergency vet and may come back for the other dog, identified as "Duke."
Dixie was transported to Mountain View Animal Emergency Hospital. She was reportedly recumbent, unresponsive and severely emaciated.
At Mountain View, Dixie reportedly entered cardiopulmonary arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated and Dixie's temperature was reportedly too low to register on a thermometer.
The veterinary team continued intensive care until 7 p.m. when she began to show minor improvements.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Dixie's fecal matter was mainly composed of dirt. She also tested positive for parasites, specifically whipworms and roundworms.
Overall, Daisy scored a one out of nine on the Purina body score chart. As a result, a search warrant was executed on Young and Wagerman's property.
On Jan. 5, investigators entered the home and observed Duke locked outside without access to shelter. The outside temperature was reportedly 32 degrees and officers noted Duke was "cold, shaking and trembling." He also reportedly had urine and feces in his fur.
Duke scored a two out of nine on the Purina body score chart. He was also removed from the property and taken for a veterinarian examination.
According to veterinary staff, Duke had overgrown nails and displayed an abnormal gate as a result. His body condition score was a three out of nine and his muscle condition score was a two out of three. It was determined that Duke had whipworms and only weighed 35.2 pounds on Jan. 5.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Young and Wagerman admitted to being aware of Dixie's severe underweight condition and failed to provide necessary veterinary care.
"It is my professional opinion that [Dixie] would have succumbed to death within minutes due to severe emaciation and the critical condition observed upon arrival," a Pennsylvania Humane Police officer wrote in the affidavit. "[Dixie] was clearly emaciated, had severe muscle wasting, was deprived of oxygen, required CPR... I am aware that such conditions take weeks, and possibly months, to deteriorate to the extent observed."
Both Duke and Dixie have made full recoveries with basic medical and nutritional care, according to police.
Young and Wagerman have been charged with aggravated cruelty of animals- torture, five counts of neglect of animals and various charges regarding the lack of vaccines both dogs had been given.
