PUNXSUTAWNEY BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – Criminal charges against a Punxsutawney man accused of animal cruelty charges after his injured dog was discovered tied outside during a severe thunderstorm were withdrawn yesterday.
Court documents indicate the following charges against 25-year-old Seth Daniel Yezierski were withdrawn on Tuesday, August 17:
– Neglect of Animals – Vet Care, Misdemeanor 3
– Cruelty to Animals, Summary
The following charges against Yezierski were moved to non-traffic court:
– Tethering of Dogs, Summary
– Animals – Shelters for dogs, Summary
The charges stem from an investigation into a report of animal cruelty in Punxsutawney in early July.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, around 11:15 p.m. on July 7, Punxsutawney Borough Police received a call from a known individual reporting that Seth Daniel Yezierski had left his German Shepherd tied up outside in his backyard.
The witness reported the dog was tied out during a severe thunderstorm and was surrounded by piles of garbage, broken glass, piles of wood, and a lawnmower. The witness also told police the dog had been barking and crying for five hours and was tangled up.
Police proceeded to the scene and found the dog standing on a pile of 2×4 planks attempting to balance on a lawnmower, the complaint states. The tether the dog was tied by was completely wrapped around the handle brace of the mower so tightly that the dog could not reach food, water, or shelter during the storm that had recently passed through.
According to the complaint, police found that the dog had approximately six inches of tether left and had to keep his head down close to the mower because he was wrapped up so tightly.
Police also discovered the dog had a cut on his paw between his pad and toes and the planks near the animal were completely saturated in blood from the cut.
The complaint notes they also found soggy dog food on the sidewalk outside and inside the covered patio as well as a small amount of water, which the dog could not reach. The inside of the covered patio was found to be littered with garbage, broken glass, and broken furniture.
The complaint also notes the dog was soaked from being caught outside during the severe thunderstorm.
Police then took the dog off the tether, put it on a borrowed leash, and placed it in a patrol vehicle.
According to the complaint, the dog was limping due to the cut on its paw, which continued to bleed severely. Police then contacted Human Officer Deb McAndrew who referred them to Just Us For the Animals for help obtaining veterinary care for the injured dog.
A representative of Just Us For The Animals was able to meet police at the Punxsutawney Borough Police Station and use veterinary glue to stop the bleeding of the dog’s paw.
The dog was then given food and water before being picked up by a Dog Law Enforcement Officer.
The complaint also notes the dog was very nervous around males and would cower in fear if anyone raised their arm quickly, as if he had been abused in the past.
Police then made multiple attempts to contact Yezierski about the dog, leaving him a voicemail, as well as a note at his residence.
The charges were filed against Yezierski through Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on July 8.
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