Donora Woman Facing 1,300 Animal Abuse Charges

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI)- Roughly 200 animals, including cats, dogs and chickens, were rescued from two homes and a church building in Donora and Monessen last fall. Police said Christie Harr, 41, was arrested and faces over 1,000 charges in connection with the incident. Our news partners at Channel 11 say this is the most animal abuse charges ever filed against someone in Washington County. Humane officers said this is not a case of animal hoarding, they say it’s a case of animal abuse. According to the criminal complaint, the roof was caving in, there was no running water, and many of the animals were kept in a dungeon-type room in the basement. The church was filled with garbage, debris, urine and feces, fur stuck to cages, throw up and a massive amount of feces in every cage. Harr told WPXI she has taken care of unwanted animals for 20 years and that anyone who knows her realizes there is no basis for these charges. Approximately 200 rescue cats are now at an undisclosed location being cared for by the Humane Society of the United States. Workers said many of the cats are now showing their personalities and thriving, after they were held in cages for prolonged periods of time.