Former Venango County Humane Officer Charged with Animal Neglect

| March 17, 2018

BUTLER CO., Pa. (EYT) – A local humane officer has been charged with animal neglect in Butler County.

According to court documents, Penny Dewoehrel, 58, of Parker, was charged on Thursday, March 15, in District Judge Lewis E. Stoughton’s office with one summary count of Neglect of Animals – Vet Care.

A certified summons was issued on March 15.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on March 15, 2018, in Allegheny Township, Butler County.

The arresting agency is Animal Control Mp. Municipal.

No other information is available on this case at this time.

Dewoehrel was also charged with one summary count of defiant trespass in a March 5 incident in Armstrong County.

Dewoehrel told wtae.com that the charges were retaliation for charges she filed against Dawn Swick, an Armstrong County woman who was housing several Shiloh Shepherds on her property.

Swick is facing three summary counts of cruelty to animals relating to allegations of failing to care for the Shepherds.

Dewoehrel said she conducted the initial rescue pulling 17 dogs out of the home.

Dewoehrel previously was a humane officer in Butler and Venango counties before she was stripped of those duties.

Dewoehrel is also embroiled in a controversy with Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron.

After the cancellation of a November 16 hearing to determine the fate of Dewoehrel’s position as a Clarion County humane officer, the battle has gone behind the scenes with parties on both sides filing court motions and petitions.

The battle apparently began after District Attorney Mark Aaron agreed to a plea deal with Richland Township residents Lorraine Girty and Richard Girty, who were facing three summary counts of animal neglect after an investigation by Dewoehrel.


Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.

Category: Local News, News, Police & Fire Calls