A South Heidelberg Township man faces multiple animal cruelty charges after humane authorities said they found five emaciated pets — including three huskies he claimed belonged to a college‑aged roommate — living in squalor in his residence.
Patrick Picard, 26, of the first block of Prospect Drive was held for court on all counts following a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge Ann L. Young in Wernersville. He remains free while awaiting formal arraignment in Berks County Court.
Picard is charged with five felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and five misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. He also faces 10 summary counts of neglect, one for each animal found in the home.
Investigators said the misdemeanor counts stem from failing to provide three dogs and four cats with necessary sustenance, potable water, and clean, sanitary shelter. The summary counts address the overall lack of sanitary shelter for all animals in the residence.
According to the probable cause affidavit:
The investigation began in early February after the mother of a woman who had recently moved out of the home contacted the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. She reported that multiple dogs and cats were not being properly cared for and described floors covered in feces and urine, an overwhelming ammonia odor and animals that appeared underweight.
On Feb. 5, Rachel Harnish, an animal control officer and humane society police officer, arrived at the home with another ARL employee for a welfare check.
Picard told officers that he had one Akita, three husky puppies and five cats — the latter allegedly left behind by the woman who moved out, a claim she later denied. Picard said he had been away from the home for six months and returned to find the animals uncared for and the house in deplorable condition.
He said he owned the Akita and that his male roommate had purchased the huskies but no longer wanted them after returning from college.
Upon entering the home, officers encountered three small huskies and several cats. All three huskies appeared severely underweight. Harnish wrote that she could feel their ribs, pelvis and spine simply by placing her hand on them.
The home had a strong odor of feces and ammonia, with piles of feces and brown stains on the floors and lower walls. Harnish reported there was no access to pet food or potable water on the first floor.
While Picard led officers through the home, Harnish noted that he walked barefoot through feces and trash — behavior she said contradicted his claim that he had only recently returned to the property.
At the top of the stairs, officers heard barking from a closed room. Picard said his brother was dog‑sitting a female pit bull. He opened the door so officers could see the dog.
In Picard’s bedroom, officers found a large Akita named Karsanova, who appeared healthy and had access to a pot of water — the only potable water seen in the home.
Picard agreed to surrender the three huskies and four cats, keeping the Akita, the pit bull — that he said would be picked up by its owners within two days — and one remaining cat. Harnish told him a follow‑up check would be conducted after he had the home cleaned by a service.
As officers placed the surrendered cats into carriers, another cat — severely emaciated — emerged from under a recliner chair. Its ribs and pelvis were visible, and it struggled to walk.
When the huskies were leashed and taken outside, they began frantically eating snow, which officers described as a common sign of extreme hunger or dehydration.
The puppies and the severely emaciated cat were immediately examined and treated, including receiving intravenous fluids overnight.
In her affidavit, Harnish wrote that she believes Picard knowingly caused severe and prolonged pain to the three huskies and two cats by allowing them to remain in such conditions.