Smyrna Man Arrested After 19 Dogs Found in Filth
State of DE - A Smyrna man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after 19 dogs were rescued from his property earlier this month.
Robert J. O'Neill, 57, has been charged with 19 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, two dog housing violations, and one misdemeanor count of Breach of Release. The breach charge stems from a previous animal cruelty case, which had prohibited him from owning or possessing animals.
On June 4, Delaware Animal Services (DAS) officers executed a search warrant at O'Neill's property on Delaware Ave in Woodland Beach. What they found inside was alarming.
Two adult dogs and 17 puppies were discovered living in dilapidated mobile trailers and a shed built over swampy, muddy ground. Every surface was covered in accumulated feces, filth, and clutter. The dogs had no clean space to walk or lie down.
The unsterilized dogs had reproduced unchecked, resulting in two litters of puppies of various ages found on the property. Basic veterinary care had not been provided to any of the animals.
"The dogs had no space that wasn't covered in filth to walk or lie down, and the grounds were wet, muddy and overgrown. No animal should live like this," said DAS Captain Rebecca Stratton.
Officers worked through heat, bugs, and mud to safely remove all 19 dogs and transport them to Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) for protective custody.
The condition of the animals told a heartbreaking story. Many had clearly never been socialized with people.
"It is clear the dogs have not been socialized to people and were terrified. Some tried to hide from us, and some just completely shut down trembling in corners. We are happy to remove them from that horrible environment and get them the proper care they deserve," Stratton added.
While the dogs needed exams, vaccinations, and socialization, they were found to be in generally good medical condition overall.
O'Neill was taken into custody on scene by Delaware State Police and transported to Troop 9 on an outstanding capias for failure to appear on his previous cruelty charges. He has since been released but remains prohibited from owning or possessing animals while the case is pending.
An intake of this size puts significant strain on shelter resources at BVSPCA. Anyone interested in adopting, fostering, or donating to support these animals can visit any of BVSPCA's four Delaware shelter locations.
Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.
