GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP – A trio from Mahaffey will face multiple charges following an animal cruelty incident in late November, Clearfield state police say.
According to a station-issued news release, the investigation was opened Nov. 24 when state police were contacted by the president of Animals Matter.
They said an English Mastiff dog had been found on Steep Hill Road in Greenwood Township, Clearfield County. Allegedly, it had a “shoestring tied around its muzzle and [was] in deplorable health.”
The dog—named “Duke”—was transported to Metzger Animal Hospital in State College and later to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment.
Later state police confirmed that Duke had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and several interviews were subsequently conducted with three suspects.
The suspects—who weren’t identified in the news release—were listed as a 60-year-old male, 31-year-old female and 16-year-old male, and reportedly confessed to acts of animal cruelty.
Charges of aggravated animal cruelty, animal cruelty, animal neglect and conspiracy will be filed through the magisterial district court in Houtzdale.