Six Neglected Dogs Rescued From Ellwood City Home

According to criminal complaints, in January, Humane Officers arrived at a home on 13th Street due to a humane complaint regarding several dogs that were tied outside and being neglected. At approximately 8:00 p.m. officers made contact with homeowner Andrew Johnson, 32, and later the owner of the dogs Joanne Johnson, 54, both of 412 13th Street, Ellwood City.

In Johnson’s backyard, six dogs were tied up outside in the freezing weather and were without proper shelter, food, or water. In other words, the dogs were being neglected.

Andrew Johnson had advised the reporting officer that a dog named Otis, who was 10 years old and a mix breed dog, had died the prior day.

Officers first observed a Rottweiler mix that went by the name Ginger, a Beagle named Fred, Zeus whos a German Shepherd, a Saint Bernard named Jax, and a 10-year-old Rottweiler named Hunter. All of these dogs were without food, water, and proper shelter to protect them from the outside temperature that ranged from 2-4 degrees. Otis was found in a makeshift wooden dog box, also without food, water, or proper shelter.

Joanne Johnson, who is the owner of the dogs, voluntarily surrendered the dogs to the Humane Officers. The dogs were then taken to the Lawrence County Humane Society, while Otis was taken to Penn State to have a necropsy completed. Otis’s necropsy came back on February 1, which Dr. Becky Morrow conducted. 

Dr. Morrow concluded in the external examination that Otis appeared under-nourish and lacked veterinary care. She also noted that there was mucoid discharge under both eyes, along with other symptoms supporting animal neglect.

Joanne Johnson will be charged with cruelty to animals and neglect to animals. Andrew Johnson is charged with cruelty to animals and neglect of animals without vet care.