WAARF receiving large donations in honor of Thor
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The Washington County Abused Animal Relief Fund (WAARF) is dedicating donations received in December and January to Thor, the deceased dog owned by a Washington County official accused of neglecting him.
WAARF has received $1,200 this week donated in the dog’s name.
Thor was owned by county Controller April Sloane, who was charged Dec. 12 with neglecting the dog by not providing him food and water. Thor died of severe emaciation, and a tip led police to her North Strabane Township home, where they found his body in a bag inside her residence.
Dr. Faith Bjalobok, chairperson of WAARF, said the donations dedicated to Thor are representative of how people feel about animals.
“People care about animals,” she said.
Earlier this month, a number of county officials donated to WAARF in memory of Thor.
“Then (other) people started to donate,” Bjalobok said.
WAARF’s mission is to provide financial assistance in paying major medical expenses for animals seized by Washington County Humane Agents, animal rescue groups, and Washington County K-9 officers. The medical costs associated with their recovery from abuse and neglect often runs into thousands of dollars.
“Animal abuse is a serious crime,” Bjalobok said. “Through my experience over the years, nothing ever happens to (those accused of abuse or neglect), and they walk away. These animals’ lives matter.”
A preliminary hearing for Sloane, scheduled for Dec. 19, was continued to a later date and will be held at Central Court inside the Washington County Courthouse.