Shocking allegations at animal abuse hearing

The case against two Monessen residents was held for court despite defense motions to dismiss the charges.

A Monessen couple accused of prolonged abuse and neglect of their dogs — two of whom died — had charges held for court Friday following a gut-wrenching preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Wayne Vlasic.

Mackinzie Orndoff, 26, and Douglas White, 27, walked into the Monessen courtroom together, heads low, and sat side-by-side with their attorneys as they pleaded not guilty to a range of charges stemming from a months-long animal abuse investigation that began in June.

Both now face amended charges. White is charged with 12 counts, including felony aggravated cruelty to animals, torture and neglect, plus one drug charge.

Orndoff is facing three counts, including aggravated cruelty to animals and drug possession. The changes reflect new information uncovered after charges were filed by Monessen Police Officer Rebekah Shrader, who was the first to testify Friday.

Shrader, who reviewed more than 50 surveillance videos turned over by neighbor Eli Piasecki, described repeated acts of cruelty: dogs being kicked, choked, thrown and dragged across the yard. She testified that the dogs appeared visibly afraid of White.

“They were hesitant,” she said. “There were multiple times where they would lay down when he came near them. They appeared to be afraid.”

Seven of those clips were played in court.

The audience couldn’t see them — but they could hear them. The dogs’ cries echoed through the room.

Some attendees wept and others covered their ears, while Orndoff and White remained stone-faced.

The surveillance videos were captured by Piasecki’s home security system across the street. He testified that he began checking his footage periodically and handed it over to police only after confirming what he believed was ongoing abuse. He also confirmed the video was unedited.

Westmoreland County Humane Officer Dina Perri, who was called to assist at the scene, delivered some of the most harrowing testimony.

She described the backyard as a place of suffering: a small dog, tied to a tree with a short chain, covered in black flies and ants, no food or water in sight. The dog had visible bruising on its hips.

Inside the home, she found two German shepherds — one older, one a puppy. The puppy was caged in the living room, underweight, ribs and hips protruding.

The adult dog was isolated in the basement without access to food or water, despite a full garbage can of food nearby.

Both were severely malnourished, Perri said, and later found to have parasites and stunted growth.

The three surviving dogs were taken into the care of All But Furgotten Animal Rescue where they underwent extensive treatment until they were given clean bills of health.

“They were badly burdened with parasites,” Perri later said. “It took quite a few rounds of medication and a strict feeding schedule before they could even keep food down.”

Perri was also present when the bodies of two deceased dogs were exhumed from the yard: one belonging to White’s mother, another a black and white mixed breed.

A necropsy revealed both had likely died from longterm starvation, with one suffering a broken jaw.

At the hearing, both defense attorneys moved to dismiss the charges.

Kevin Chernosky, representing White, argued that his client couldn’t definitively be identified in the abuse videos.

Eduardo Pablo Chacon, representing Orndoff, said she was never shown harming the dogs.

But Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Page Ranger pushed back hard. She said Orndoff shared responsibility through inaction, citing surveillance footage showing her walking the dogs and letting them out — clear signs of shared care and custody.

Ranger pointed to the overall conditions of the home and the responsibilities both defendants shared. While Orndoff wasn’t captured on video inflicting harm, Ranger emphasized that she was seen handling the dogs and allowing them outside — evidence, she argued, that showed she had enough involvement to be held accountable.

Ranger maintained that the animals suffered not only from overt violence but also from extended neglect — lack of food, water, and veterinary care — all while under the supervision of the couple.

Vlasic agreed. He held both for trial in Westmoreland County Court.

Formal arraignment is set for Oct. 15 before Judge Michael J. Stewart II.

The courtroom let out a collective breath as the ruling was handed down.

Many of the witnesses and animal rescue volunteers, some still emotional from the video audio, expressed relief.

“It’s still an awful situation,” said Hannah Novak, a board member of All But Furgotten, “but I am very happy with what Judge Vlasic decided today.”

Perri added, “I’m very happy. But it’s emotional. These dogs deserve better — and they’re going to get it.”

As of Friday, White and Orndoff formally surrendered the three surviving dogs to All But Furgotten. With the animals no longer considered property of the state, they’re now eligible for adoption.

“They’re running now, playing, wagging their tails,” Perri said, smiling as she showed neighbors photos and videos. “Their personalities are really starting to come out. They’re finally getting to be dogs.”

Neighbor Rachel Petras was visibly moved after hearing the audio in court.

“We noticed some things … but I don’t think we realized how bad it was,” she said.

She’s now considering adopting one of the rescued dogs. “I would gladly take any one of them. They are so, so sweet.”

Another neighbor, Tanner Kefover, didn’t hold back.

“What they did is disgusting,” he said. “I hope they get charged to the fullest extent of the law. And honestly? They deserve worse.”

Wanda Piasecki, who also lives nearby, struggled to make sense of it.

“It’s awful. Just awful,” she said. “And they sat there and didn’t even seem to care.”

White and Orndoff are currently out on $500,000 bond each, residing together in their Knox Avenue home.

Both have undergone mental health evaluations and drug and alcohol screenings.

Their trial now looms, and for the surviving dogs, a second chance at life is right around the corner.