Owners cited in animal neglect

An animal charity agent rated the house among the worst he’s seen.

By ED RUNYAN

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — When officials investigated an animal cruelty complaint at 37 West Halleck St. on Friday afternoon, they had to wear Haz-Mat suits to wade through animal feces 6 inches deep throughout the two-story house.

Inside they found four living but badly neglected dogs. Outside they found three dead dogs, a dead cat and another living-but-neglected dog.

They also found the owners at the house, Thomas Culver Sr., 53, and Catherine Culver, 48, both of 1203 Idaho Street in Farrell, Pa.

Each was arrested on nine counts of animal cruelty.

They are in Mahoning County Jail awaiting an arraignment Monday in municipal court. Thomas Culver was also arrested on three outstanding warrants: two for driving under suspension, and one for public indecency.

John Hall, humane agent for Animal Charity, said he and two Youngstown deputy dog wardens wore the hazardous materials suits and breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the insects and parasites in the North Side home.

Hall said the home is among the five worst he has ever been called to during his career. Feces covered the first and second floors, attic and basement. Rats were found in the basement and attic.

In worst shape

Among the most abused living animals was a German shepherd mix inside the house that had a “gaping hole” in its underbelly from a cyst that had burst as much as two weeks ago, Hall said. The animal was euthanized.

Three pit bull mixes had severe infestation of fleas and were dehydrated and not eating, he said. Dog food was present, but animals will not eat in those conditions, he said. The living animals were taken from the home.

The pit bulls will be evaluated Monday and probably will be euthanized, Hall said.

The Culvers were also cited for housing violations for the litter in the house, for having no tags on any of the animals, and for failing to take out $100,000 liability insurance policies on the pit bull mix dogs.

Hall said he notified Farrell police after finding empty boxes marked “grenade launchers” in the house. Hazardous chemicals were also found.

runyan@vindy.com