Fayette County man facing 1,000+ charges related to animal cruelty, neglect
A man from Fayette County has been arrested and is facing over 1,000 charges related to alleged animal cruelty and neglect.
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said that John Saxberg, 57, is facing charges in connection with what he called "a suspected illegal kennel operation" at a home on Main Street in Washington Township.
According to DA Aubele, Saxberg is accused of subjecting numerous animals to "deplorable conditions" and "circumstances constituting torture," adding that approximately 10 animals suffered serious bodily injuries. Eleven dogs died after being rescued from either sickness or having to be euthanized, the criminal complaint said.
Photos shared last month by the Erie-based ANNA Shelter from inside the home showed dirt covering many surfaces and what appeared to be feces scattered on the floor. More than 100 dogs were removed from the home between April and June, officials said. The animals, while living in the deplorable conditions, didn't have adequate food and water.
"It is not something that we will tolerate in this county, and it's going to be prosecuted," Aubele said.
Court records show that Saxberg is facing 1,031 criminal charges in total, with offenses including aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals, neglect of animals, penalties related to dog licensing, and violations of vaccine requirements. Fifty-two of the charges Saxberg is facing are felonies, according to court records.
"There are 10 charges for torture, and that is how we describe it," Aubele said. "We have animals that were suffering from conditions that would have caused prolonged pain."
Online court paperwork shows that Saxberg was arraigned on Tuesday afternoon and is being held in the Fayette County Prison after bail was set at $85,000. A preliminary hearing for Saxberg is scheduled for late next week. Aubele said jail time is a strong possibility if Saxberg is convicted.
The Borough of Belle Vernon has placed a warning on the home. The warning says it is unsafe for human occupancy.
"It was pretty obvious to tell they hadn't been outside and they had been living in their own urine and feces for a long time," said Ruth Thompson, who leads the ANNA Shelter. "Our team members were just really disgusted by the fact that not only the animals were living out of that, there were humans living inside of that, or at least one human."
The shelter is still medically clearing the dogs that were in the worst shape, she said, adding that seven dogs were just put up for adoption. Thompson stressed that adopting some of the dogs is a great way to support the shelter's efforts.
It took authorities more than a month to bring these charges due to the number of dogs involved, Aubele said.
"I'm glad that he's being held responsible and at least accountable," Thompson said. "And I'm honestly happier that no animals are there anymore, that they're safe, they're happy, they're with us."
