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Posted: 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Neighbors concerned about treatment of animals, children

By Maria Miller

SOMERSET, Pa. —

6 News broke the story last week of humane officers pulling what appeared to be sick and neglected dogs from a home in Somerset.

The newsroom has received several calls from neighbors about the deplorable conditions Jesse Shay and Angela Bartels' pets are subjected to live in, but they tell us the couple also has children who live inside.

On Saturday officials seized 10 cats, six dogs and a chinchilla from the couples' Fuller Street home. 6 News talked to neighbors that day who showed video and talked about how horrible the conditions were. On Wednesday the neighbors said they're not only concerned for the animals, they're worried about the couples' children.

"The kids are running around screaming and playing but there's never an adult," said Beverly Miller who lives nearby.

Neighbors also worry about the parvo disease that killed several puppies the couple owned.

"Are these kids in there and are they taking it on the school bus with them," said Miller."Not just for other kid ... Why should they have to live in those conditions?"

Shay and Bartels pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges on Wednesday that stemmed back to an incident in August when police took nine cats and four dogs from the home. Somerset County humane officer Melissa Leonard credits the help of neighbors then and now.

"They've given us so many leads. We couldn't have done this without them," said Leonard. "They're continuing to filter information and all of it is greatly appreciated. Any other information would be very useful to the ongoing investigation."

In an interview with the Somerset Daily American Bartels said she plans on moving because of the accusations from her neighbors. Those neighbors told 6 News they'll continue to fight.

"Enough is enough," said Miller. "These dogs are suffering and they're not willing to do anything about it, somebody has to because it's just going to continue"

Neighbors told 6 News the couples' children were removed from the home in August and placed into the custody of a family member. But they said it was only a few weeks later when the children returned and they said they've seen them at the house ever since.

Police were unable to comment on the matter.

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