Two Philipsburg men were arrested after a cat in their care had to be euthanized because of a severe infection and injuries that went untreated for months, according to the Centre County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael S. Reish, 62, and Seamus S. Reish, 59, were each charged on Wednesday with one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of neglect of an animal.
A witness provided the county’s Humane Society police officer with photos of an orange, short-hair domestic cat named Apollo belonging to the Reishes that showed the animal had “catastrophic facial injuries,” according to an affidavit of probable cause. The photos “clearly showed that the animal was missing a substantial portion of its jaw,” the officer wrote.
The two men told the officer that they were Apollo’s owners, were aware of his condition for several months and had intentionally withheld veterinary care because they believed he would be euthanized if taken to a vet, according to the affidavit. Seamus Reish also said he had experience as a veterinary technician and was capable of providing care, the officer wrote.
After the men agreed to surrender Apollo, the officer took the cat and observed “an advanced, infected wound on the animal’s face consistent with extensive tissue necrosis.” Apollo was missing a significant portion of his mouth, had a visibly compromised eye that was likely non-functional, emitted an odor consistent with decaying flesh and was audibly struggling to breathe, according to the affidavit.
A veterinarian at a Centre County animal hospital conducted an emergency evaluation and determined that immediate euthanasia was “the most humane course of action… due to the severity and chronic nature of the injuries,” the officer wrote.
The veterinarian also confirmed that the facial deterioration was the result of the infection.
“She further opined that, had the cat received prompt veterinary care at the onset of symptoms, the condition likely could have been treated and the suffering avoided,” according to the affidavit.
Both men were arraigned on Wednesday night by District Judge Gregory Koehle and were each unable to post $1,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 18.
