Monessen couple charged with abuse of animals

Police said a neighbor videotaped more than 50 violent acts involving dogs.

A Monessen couple is behind bars after allegedly abusing their dogs so badly that two of the animals died.

Mackinzie Orndoff, 26, and Douglas White, 27, were charged Sunday after police said the abuse was captured on a neighbor’s surveillance camera.

White is charged with torture, aggravated cruelty to animals causing significant bodily injury or death, cruelty to animals, neglect of animals – vet care and use/ possession of drug paraphernalia.

Orndoff is charged with conspiracy – aggravated cruelty to animals resulting in significant bodily injury or death, vet care and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office, a neighbor contacted police Friday and turned over more than 50 videos of White abusing the animals dating back to December.

The abuse ranged from kicking, choking, throwing, aggressively grabbing the dog by the back of its neck, and smashing the dog’s face off the ground.

Videos viewed by investigators allegedly showed one dog being thrown against the steps, and yelped as he smacked off the railing.

Another video showed White throwing a dog down the stairs. It was not moving and appeared to be lifeless, according to police.

The dog was then seen limping and lies down before White drags it through the yard and up the stairs to the porch.

A search warrant was executed on the Knox Avenue residence around 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Orndoff and White both refused to answer any questions and requested a lawyer, an affidavit of probable cause states.

Police said at the time the search warrant was served, the dogs did not have water but did have food in their bowls.

Three dogs were seized and taken to a local animal rescue for evaluation and treatment.

Police recovered two deceased dogs buried in the yard.

The bodies of the two dogs were exhumed and will be forensically examined.

Police said a subsequent second search warrant executed on the residence resulted in the seizure of marijuana and related paraphernalia.

White and Orndoff were taken into custody and arraigned Sunday. They are each being held in the Westmoreland County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bond.

Preliminary hearings for Orndoff and White are scheduled for 10 a.m. July 11.

All but Furgotten Humane Rescue, Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, Westmoreland County Detective Bureau’s Forensic Unit, Rostraver Police Department, Charleroi Regional Police Department, City of Monessen Public Works Department and neighbors who came forward assisted Monessen police in the investigation.

Donations for the dogs’ care can be made to All But Furgotten Animal Rescue at https://www.allbutfurgotten. com.