PA man busted for wild animal hoarding

by Amy Worden

Too often we hear stories about individuals who hoard cats and dogs. Now comes a case in northeastern Pennsylvania of wild animal hoarding.

Stephen Andrew Moore, 46, of Tannersville, Monroe County, pleaded guilty to what the Pennsylvania Game Commission called an unusual form of poaching: possession of wildlife illegally taken from the wild for “a hobby that got out of control."

On Thursday Moore pled guilty to 30 counts of illegal possession of various species ranging from blue jays to raccoons, from chipping sparrows to gray squirrels, from groundhogs to purple finches, according to the game commission As part of the plea agreement, charges against Moore for cruelty to animals were withdrawn. A judge ordered Moore to pay $2,250 in fines, and $750 in reimbursement to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for expenses incurred treating the wildlife that survived.

In May, game officers followed up on a tip and went to Moore’s home in Pocono Township to investigate alleged illegal possession of birds.

“When we arrived, we saw several cages and multiple bird traps on the front porch,”Officer Scott Malicky said. “Also visible from the front porch were several bird traps in the backyard.”

The following day, officers returned to the home with a search warrant and they found dozens of animals in poor health, living in filthy cages. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of 13 goldfinches; 11 pine siskins (like the one pictured above); 7 house finches; 5 dark-eyed juncos; 4 purple finches; 3 blue jays; 3 gray squirrels; 2 groundhogs; 2 raccoons; 2 indigo buntings; 1 chipping sparrow; 2 black-capped chickadees; 2 rose-breasted grosbeaks; 1 cardinal; 1 brown-headed cowbird; 1 house sparrow; 1 mourning dove; and five others needing identification due to decomposition..." More

Some of the Worst Homes Overrun by Pets and Their Mentally Ill Owners

Everyone has seen those crazy stories on the evening news about wackos who overrun their home with more animals than is humanely possible. You have to be some sort of serious wacko to have over 40 cats in one house anyway. Some people are compulsive hoaders, others are just bad mommies and daddies to their little animals. Morbid curiosity leads Amog to look at some of the worst homes overrun by pets and their mentally ill owners..." More

Hoarders mentioned:
Patti “Cookie” Wheeler
Robert and Barbara Woodley
Stephen Andrew Moore
Philip Tamis and Cynthia Stewart
Paul and Pauline Harpin

Robert, Anita & Chad Moore: Tate Township farm, Clermont, Cincinnati

Jan 1, 2009: Legal woes face horse trainer

Chad M. Moore, the horse trainer expected to be charged with cruelty to animals after at least 10 of them were found dead on a Tate Township farm, could face up to 90 days in jail for every corpse that figures into the final count.

His legal troubles won’t end there.

Moore, 39, who was arrested Thursday, faces up to a year in prison for violating probation in a Clermont County case involving nonsupport of children. Jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail in that case, he is to appear Monday in Common Pleas Court.

Moore, who pleaded guilty to nonsupport in 2003, violated probation in numerous ways, according to an affidavit by Nick Gescheider, a probation officer.

One of the things Moore was barred from doing was drinking, but on July 14 he pleaded guilty in Municipal Court to driving under the influence of alcohol.

On July 19, he was charged with theft. And, on May 20, he pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to license dogs.
He also didn’t inform his probation officer of the charges, and he failed to report to the officer after Aug. 12.

Moore also allegedly violated probation by failing to pay at least $229.85 a month to support his children.

In July, the first of at least three arrest warrants related to separate cases was issued for Moore. He may have abandoned the horses because he wanted to avoid arrest, Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg said..." More

Dec 29, 2009: Dead, neglected horses removed from Clermont farm

BY BARRETT J. BRUNSMAN

Clermont County Animal Control had been in contact with a trainer of race horses since nearly the beginning of this year regarding reports that animals in his care had been cruelly treated, gone missing or died.

At least 10 dead horses were found at a Tate Township farm Monday, and six other horses, a donkey and a pony that reportedly had been neglected were seized by Animal Control and sheriff's deputies.

The Clermont County Animal Shelter is working with the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office on possible charges of animal cruelty and abandonment against the animals’ caretaker, according to a statement from Clermont County officials. A first offense for animal cruelty or abandonment is a second-degree misdemeanor that carries up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine per count, the statement said.

The surviving animals were taken from the 30-acre farm at 2200 Donald Road, Sheriff A.J. "Tim" Rodenberg said. Nobody was home at the time.

Robert and Anita Moore own the farm, and their son Chad Moore trains race horses, according to Chief Animal Control Officer Debra Wood..." More