New citation issued for rat-infested property

Rostraver Police Chief Scott Sokol said animal neglect charges are still being considered.

Rostraver code enforcement issued a new citation Friday to the owner of a Rostraver Township property that has been the source of a rat infestation for several weeks.

The citation issued to Wendi Garza by Rostraver code enforcement states “at no time shall parked or stored camping and recreation equipment be used for residential purposes.” It stems from an alleged offense Thursday, court records state.

Rostraver Police Chief Scott Sokol confirmed that Garza goes by “Wendi Kraemer” and “Wendi Garza.” In previous reporting by the Mon Valley Independent,

she has been referred to as “Wendi Kraemer.”

For several weeks, neighbors surrounding Garza’s property were experiencing a significant rodent problem.

Officials stated that unsanitary conditions on the property contributed to the rodent activity, Rostraver officials found that several types of animals were living in unsanitary conditions on the property.

Under the Kraemer alias, the property owner was charged Tuesday with public nuisance stemming from an alleged incident on May 17, court records state. That same day, the Rostraver Police Department issued a search warrant.

During a second search conducted Thursday, Sokol stated that they removed more than 80 pigs from Garza’s property. Sokol said the pigs were taken by two farmers, and that some of the cats and dogs that were on the property are still in the process of finding homes.

“They were rapidly multiplying. There were pigs giving birth literally on scene,” Sokol said.

Sokol stated that they’re still in the process of investigating other things related to Garza’s case, adding that animal neglect charges are currently under consideration by police.

“We have arrangements with the veterinarian to start inspecting animals, and then we have to follow the proper legal procedures and go from there,” he said.

Sokol added that the case is evolving daily.

After Tuesday’s search, the property was condemned, and Sokol said no one should be living there.

“We’ve made great progress, but we have a lot more to go to ensure the residents’ safety and welfare up there,” Sokol said. “They don’t deserve anything that’s been taking place up there, and we are continuing to swiftly act and move as effectively as possible to rid the neighbors of this situation.”