3 from South Hills face charges tied to 92 injured dogs found on Washington County farm

Three people from the South Hills have been charged with felony animal cruelty charges in connection to 92 emaciated and injured dogs found on a Washington County farm during a law enforcement raid last year.

Lucy Ann Binakonsky, Emily David Binakonsky and Charlotte L. Binakonsky are accused of being responsible for keeping the dogs in unhealthy and dangerous conditions that led to two of the dogs’ deaths, Washington County District Attorney Eugene A. Vittone said Thursday. Court records list the same address for all three defendants, a residence where on Cochran Mill Road where South Park Township meets Jefferson Hills.

The German shorthair pointer dogs were rescued after state troopers served a search warrant on a farm on Hamilton Acres Lane in Hopewell Township and discovered the dogs roaming the fence-enclosed property and two of its structures.

The suspects had left the doors open and “basically turned them into dog houses,” Vittone said at the time.

“The conditions at the property were deplorable, filthy and in the opinion of law enforcement, inhumane,” Vittone said Thursday in a statement.

All of the dogs suffered from diseases or injuries of some form and did not have enough food or water, Vittone said. Some had been fighting each other.

Three dogs had serious injuries that still require ongoing care, Vittone said. Two dogs died.

“Most of the dogs which survived have been placed in houses and are doing well,” Vittone said.

The DA thanked humane officer Cathy Cunningham and the volunteers and rescue organizations who helped care for the injured animals and find them new homes.

The animals initially were treated at the Washington County Fairgrounds before local animal organizations and volunteers stepped up to prepare them for adoption.

The three co-defendants charged each face more than 16 felony counts — including aggravated cruelty to an animal for the death or serious injury of five dogs.

If any are convicted, the aggravated cruelty charges carry a possible sentence of up to seven years in jail and a fine up to $15,000.

RELATED: Nearly 100 German Shorthaired Pointers rescued from Washington County farm