17 dogs rescued, woman facing animal cruelty charges

COALDALE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A woman is facing animal cruelty charges after police say 17 dogs and other animals were rescued from her property in Schuylkill County.

According to the Coaldale Police Department, on May 17 officers received a tip regarding 8-10 dogs, who were reportedly malnourished and hairless, located at 70-year-old Bethany Bachert’s property on Bull Run Street.

On May 20 investigators executed a search warrant to Bachert’s home after she refused to surrender the animals. Once police arrived at the house they stated “a strong, foul order could be noted emanating from the residence.”

Inside the house, there were animal feces and urine, and officers were not able to move around the home without stepping on animal waste, as stated in the affidavit.

Detectives removed 17 dogs and a turtle from the house and stated the animals were underweight, scabbing skin, bleeding, and had long nails curling over their skin.

Bachert has been charged with various counts of animal cruelty.

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