Three people were charged last week in Elk County in two unrelated animal cruelty incidents, area police agencies announced.

Herbert Nussbaum Jr., 70, of St. Marys, is accused of kicking a dog, while Ian Benson, 48, and Amy Benson, 42, both of Johnsonburg, are accused of leaving a dog alone in a residence for three months.

According to St. Marys City Police, they received information on Dec. 22 that Nussbaum, a Poplar Road resident, was “continuously kicking a dog in the ribcage.”

Police launched an investigation on Friday and determined there was ongoing abuse happening against the dog. St. Marys Police and the Elk County Humane Society made arrangements to shelter the dog.

Nussbaum is being charged with cruelty to animals, police reported.

Meanwhile, Ridgway-based state police reported on a recent cruelty to animals investigation in Ridgway Township.

State police allege that the Bensons moved from a residence at 1022 Water St. Extension and left a dog behind for a period of about three months.

“The dog was left with no adequate shelter, food or water,” police stated. During the investigation, police learned the dog had been sleeping on piles of garbage, and it had “extremely protruding ribs, hip bones and vertebrae bones.”

The Bensons face charges of animal cruelty and animal neglect, state police said.

Law enforcement officials did not say if Nussbaum or the Bensons have been arraigned yet on the charges.