Charleroi pair waive animal cruelty charges
CHARLEROI – A Charleroi man and woman on Thursday waived their preliminary hearing on charges they left three pit bulls in a small locked room long enough to become emaciated in a building that was deemed unfit for occupancy.
Nicole L. Hairston, 32, and Tso Calloway, 21, both of 1022 Fallowfield Ave., were charged by Charleroi Regional police with cruelty to animals and animal abuse. They waived their cases to Washington County Court before District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Police forced their way into a vacant apartment at 717 Washington Ave. on July 11 after receiving a complaint that dogs were heard barking inside the building, the affidavit states.
The animals were discovered without food or water in a building that had extremely hot temperatures, police said.
Humane Police Officer Cathy Cunningham said the three dogs since have been adopted. Three other pit bulls the pair had also have been seized, Cunningham said.
Hairston and Calloway are free on their own recognizance.