A Bridgeville couple have been charged with five counts of animal cruelty neglect, six dog housing violations and 13 dog license violations. Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez/Pexels
A Bridgeville couple have been been charged with animal cruelty and more after 20 dogs were rescued from a home there.
Ray Anderson, age 42, and Melissa Layton, age 40, were arraigned on Aug. 15 on five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty neglect, six dog housing violations and 13 dog license violations. Both were released on their own recognizance.
When officers arrived at a home on Ida Lane to check out an anonymous tip, they found a dog lying unresponsive in the yard. He was barely alive, extremely emaciated and missing most of his fur. Although he was rushed to a veterinarian, his condition was so bad he had to be euthanized.
The state Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Services executed a search warrant and found 19 additional dogs of varying breeds and ages inside and outside of the property, including a nursing Boston Terrier with six puppies, five alive and one deceased.
Many of the dogs had severe skin issues and suffered from sarcoptic mange, a highly contagious infection caused by burrowing mites. Some were malnourished and underweight. Some were in cramped housing with restricted movement, according to a press release.
All dogs were taken to Brandywine Valley SPCA where they are receiving medical treatment and care.
“It is completely inexcusable to treat animals this way, and it is against the law,” said Animal Services Chief Mark Tobin. “This incident serves as an important reminder of the urgent need for responsible pet ownership and the importance of reporting any suspected animal cruelty. The anonymous tip we received proved to be crucial in enabling us to intervene and save the lives of these dogs.
Brandywine Valley SPCA CEO Adam Lamb said his agency was grateful for the state officers work.
“No animal should be left to live like this, and our team has been working around the clock since these dogs came into our care,” Lamb said. “For some, the path to recovery and rehabilitation will be longer, requiring weeks of medical treatment.”
Reporting animal cruelty
If you are concerned about an animal’s welfare and suspect cruelty or neglect, contact OAW’s Delaware Animal Services immediately at 302-255-4646 or report online at animalservices.delaware.gov/report_violation/25.
