3 Women Face Charges After 92 Injured And Malnourished Dogs Found

WASHINGTON, Pa. (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Three women are facing numerous charges including felony animal cruelty in connection to a raid last year in Washington County that found 92 injured and malnourished dogs.

Last August, state troopers along with Humane Officer Cathy Cunningham raided the farm property at 4143 Hamilton Acres in Hopewell Township, Washington County and found the conditions the German shorthair pointer dogs were living in "filthy and in the opinion of law enforcement, inhumane."

Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone announced Thursday that Lucy, Emily and Charlotte Binakonsky of the South Hills are facing Animal Cruelty charges.

Many of the dogs had been fighting each other and were injured or diseased.

The dogs were sent to the Washington County Fairgrounds where their health was assessed by veterinarians on the scene.

Since then, two of the dogs have died as a result of the lack of care they received at the farm.

"Three dogs have serious injuries which require care to this day," a release from Vittone's office said. "All of the dogs were diseased and/or sustained injuries to some degree."

Cunningham announced during a press conference Thursday that all but two of the dogs have found homes but that many are still recovering from their injuries.

"At least three of the dogs cannot go outside without goggles on because their eyes are so damaged from the filth," said Cunningham. "Man of the dogs bare scars, three or four of the dogs, their hair is destroyed so they have no hair so they have to have a coat or sunscreen on to go outside."

Cunningham also described the conditions she saw that day.

"It was deplorable, it was uninhabitable by man or beast."

This is not the first time Charlotte Binakonsky has faced animal cruelty charges. She was charged with running a similar operation in Bethel Park. That time it was Yorkies

A reunion of the dogs is planned in Greensburg in November. Cunningham says the adopted owners and their dogs met once this year already and it was a hit.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information related to the case you are urged to call police at 724-223-5200.

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