Pottstown man admits to animal neglect
NORRISTOWN >> A Pottstown man faces several years of court supervision after he admitted to failing to properly care for his pit bull “Noah” — neglect that authorities say resulted in the dog’s death.
Andrew Hornak, 24, of the 300 block of North Franklin Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 20 days already served to 12 months in the county jail after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of neglect of animals in connection with the August 2018 incident.
Judge Richard P. Haaz, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, also ordered Hornak to complete two years’ probation following parole, meaning Hornak will be under court supervision for three years.
“He’s admitting to failing to take care of his white pit bull named Noah, failing to provide it with adequate food and water, adequate shelter and adequate veterinary care to the point where the dog died,” said county Assistant District Attorney Bridget Gallagher, explaining the nature of Hornak’s admission.
“He’s not to own or possess animals,” Gallagher added, referring to a condition of the plea agreement.
The judge also ordered Hornak to complete 100 hours of community service which cannot be served at an animal hospital or shelter.
“Clearly, we’re not going to tolerate people treating these innocent animals as if they’re just any other piece of property. They need to be cared for and if they can’t handle it, then they shouldn’t have animals,” Gallagher added.
An investigation began about 4 p.m. Aug. 13, 2018, when a “distraught” woman called Pottstown police and reported that “Noah” passed away while in the care of Hornak. When police went to Hornak’s residence, he claimed the dog died that morning and was still in a cage at the residence, according to the criminal complaint filed by Pottstown Police Officer Zachary Robinson.
Hornak directed police to the dog’s cage in a firstfloor bedroom.
“The dog was observed to be lying down with his head at the back of the cage. The inside of the cage was caked with fecal matter and had a significant amount of urine in it,” Robinson alleged in the arrest affidavit. “Upon examining the dog, I was able to see each if its ribs, vertebrae and both of its hips. It was clear that the dog hadn’t eaten any food for some time.”
During questioning by police, Hornak claimed the dog had been fed the night before. Hornak could not provide a timeline for the dog’s last visit to a veterinarian.
Hornak allegedly claimed it was difficult to make sure the dog was fed, exercised and properly cared for because he works and isn’t always at home, according to court documents.
The dog was transported to Pottsgrove Animal Hospital for a necropsy which determined the dog died due to malnutrition and neglect “as no fat was found on any portion of the dog,” according to court papers.
A veterinarian reported the body score of the dog was “a 1 out of 5” and the skeletal structure was easily visible, police alleged.