More than 1,300 animal cruelty charges added
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
A Monessen woman who was already set to stand trial on animal cruelty charges related to a massive animal horde was hit with 1,376 new charges in the case Tuesday.
A warrant has been issued for Christie Dee Harr, 41, of Monessen, who operates the nonprofit Animal Orphans Animal Rescue and Pet Sanctuary. She is facing hundreds of new charges stemming from a case that began in June 2016.
Harr was originally charged with one felony count each of aggravated cruelty to animals — torture and aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death stemming from an investigation that began four years ago.
She was ordered to stand trial on those charges in January and was formally arraigned in Washington County Court last week. A trial date has not been set.
Harr is now charged with 70 felony counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals — torture and aggravated cruelty to animals — causing serious bodily injury or death; 206 misdemeanor counts each of neglect of animals — sustenance/water, neglect of animals — shelter/protection and neglect of animals — vet care; and 206 summary counts each of neglect of animals — sustenance/water, neglect of animals — shelter/protection and neglect of animals — vet care.
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