Jan 6, 2024 By Jon Andreassi 2 min read

A North Strabane couple faces charges of animal cruelty after police discovered the remains of a dog on their property that had been starved.

The Washington Area Humane Society charged Raymond Fred Christie, 27, and Tonya Marie Boyle, 25, Thursday via summons.

According to the criminal complaint, the humane society received a tip Dec. 20 that the two were keeping animals in poor condition, and recently had a dog die.

Officers went to search their home on Carl Avenue later that day. According to court records, Boyle told investigators they had rescued a dog two weeks prior, and described the dog as skinny and refusing to eat.

However, the complaint states that Christie and Boyle could not initially produce any record of a conversation or transaction from whom they rescued the dog. Two days later, Christie told humane officers they had the pit bull for about a year before it died, court paperwork indicates.

According to the complaint, officers found the remains of the dog buried in their backyard. The complaint describes Christie and Boyle’s home as smelling strongly of feces and ammonia, and being covered in trash and animal waste.

Court records state that there was another dog and five cats also in the home. The humane society notes that while their living environment was poor, the animals were in good physical condition.

Investigators also found a rabbit hutch in the dining room. Boyle allegedly said they had a rabbit, but that the now-deceased pit bull ate it. According to the complaint, there was also a tank containing a leopard gecko that appeared to be very thin. Boyle told officers the gecko was refusing to eat and had not been taken to the vet.

Christie and Boyle are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before District Judge James Saieva at 10:30 a.m. March 5.