Mar 15, 2018 3 min read

A South Franklin Township man faces a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals after one of his dogs was found earlier this year with an injured leg that allegedly had not been treated for months.

Steven Osko, 51, of 1895 Bedillion Road, also is charged by Glen Thomson, humane officer with Washington Area Humane Society, with neglect of an animal regarding the injured dog, Rusty, and a second dog on his property, Peter.

Thomson got a call Jan. 19 from Kym Secreet, animal control officer, about a dog with a possible broken leg that reportedly was being neglected by its owner. When he arrived, the dog was no longer at the property. Thomson was headed back to the humane society when he got a call that the dog had returned.

The humane officer checked the dog, Rusty, and determined the approximately 10-year-old Australian cattle dog needed immediate veterinary care. He reportedly had limited movement in his back legs and had lost muscle mass. Thomson posted a notice and took the dog to the shelter.

Osko reportedly contacted Thomson a few days later, telling him the dog had gotten his legs tangled in a tie-out two or three months earlier. He also allegedly admitted he did not take the dog to a veterinarian. When told he was being charged with animal cruelty, Osko reportedly said he would be getting rid of the dogs.

Osko brought Peter, a 10-year Jack Russell/bassett hound, to the shelter and agreed to surrender both dogs.

The shelter’s vet examined both dogs. Rusty was found to be dehydrated and underweight. He also has Lyme disease. Peter had several growths and cysts, a deformed paw, a hematoma on his ear and tartar on his teeth, according to court documents.

Both dogs are putting on weight, said Kelly Proudfit, humane society executive director.

Peter, whom Proudfit described as a “sweetheart,” is available for adoption through the shelter. She said he recently was part of the shelter’s weekly segment on Pickle92 radio in Pittsburgh. Proudfit said he did well on the ride to Pittsburgh and was a big hit with everyone who saw him.

Rusty is with a foster family and is continuing to receive needed medical care, Proudfit said.

Four years ago, Osko pleaded guilty to three counts of allowing his dogs to roam free filed by Secreet at the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

The most recent charges were sent by summons from Ward’s office. Osko is scheduled for an April 16 preliminary hearing before Ward.

Anyone interested in adopting Peter can call the humane society at 724-222-7387 for more information. The society’s website says he cannot go to a home with children or other dogs.