By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER

marcie@bradfordera.com

Animal abuse charges have been filed against a Lewis Run man for allegedly abandoning three dogs in a home without heat, food or water.

Rod Schlopy Jr. 42, of 6753 Route 59 Lot B6, is charged with three counts of cruelty to animals, second- degree misdemeanors; three counts each of neglect of animals – sustenance/ water, neglect – shelter/protection, and neglect – vet care, all third-degree misdemeanors.

On April 15, state police were dispatched to an animal complaint at Schlopy’s address. A neighbor had called to report they thought the three dogs that lived there had been abandoned.

When a trooper arrived on scene, he noticed several shut-off notices on the front door for failure to pay. The dogs could be heard barking from inside the residence. Two dogs could be seen through a window, as well as a door that looked like it had been destroyed by the dogs.

A neighbor told police Schlopy hadn’t been staying there and she thought he might have taken the dogs with him. She said the dogs had been skinny the prior summer. A few people told police it had been at least a week-anda- half since anyone had been at the residence, the complaint stated.

The trooper was unable to reach Schlopy.

The SPCA came to remove the dogs. All three were malnourished and two were ‘extremely aggressive,’ police noted. The home was in deplorable condition and appeared no one had lived there in some time. The trooper said the house was strewn with animal waste, no food or water was available and a door and some furniture had been torn up by the dogs. He noted the weather conditions were snowy, and there was no heat or electricity, according to the complaint.

When the trooper reached Schlopy, he said he had been hospitalized, but said the dogs weren’t his and someone else was supposed to be caring for them while he was gone.

When that person was contacted, they said they had never heard from Schlopy, the complaint stated.

The alleged owner was reached, and said she had moved out two years earlier, and Schlopy would not let her take the dogs when she did.

On April 17, the SPCA contacted the trooper and said all three of the dogs had to be euthanized, the complaint stated.

Schlopy was scheduled for arraignment Friday before District Judge David Engman in Kane, but failed to appear.