Morrisville police looking for woman who left dogs without food, water after moving

Morrisville police are looking for a former resident who allegedly abandoned a mother dog and her puppy with no food or water for nine days after she left her apartment.

The alleged dog owner, identified as Jaylah Hayes, 20, is facing multiple misdemeanor and summary charges of animal neglect and animal cruelty.

The dogs were rescued after police responded to the 120 block of North Delmorr Avenue on Aug. 28 and saw them in the feces-filled apartment through the window, according to a probable cause affidavit.

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The officer saw the pitbull mixes who both appeared extremely thin and suffering from diarrhea and a skin infection. There did not appear to be any food or water in the apartment.

The officer immediately provided the dogs with food and water through an open window and they ate and drank voraciously, the affidavit said.

Notices from the water and electric company were posted on the front door notifying her services would be cut off shortly. The officer left a note for Hayes asking her to contact police.

The next day, the officer returned to the apartment, but there was no sign Hayes had returned, the affidavit said. The officer obtained a search warrant to remove the dogs.

When the door was opened, the dogs immediately greeted the officer, police said.

Inside the apartment the electricity was shut off and the carpet and floors were covered in feces and urine in all but one bedroom where the door was shut, the affidavit said. It appeared the dogs chewed through part of the window sill, police said.

Neighbors told police the bigger dog gave birth to a litter of puppies five months earlier, and all but one female puppy had been given away, according to the affidavit.

They also told police Hayes had not been seen since Aug. 19.

A Bucks County SPCA veterinarian examined the dogs and found the mother dog was underweight and suffering a skin infection on her belly, had overgrown nails and diarrhea.

The puppy was so emaciated her ribs, spine and hip bones were visible through the skin. She had patches of missing hair, a skin infection, overgrown nails and diarrhea, the affidavit said.

Diarrhea and skin infections are conditions that require veterinarian treatment, Bucks County SPCA Chief Humane Officer Nikki Thompson noted in the affidavit.

Both dogs were placed on a re-feeding program to increase their weight and given medication.

Attempts to locate Hayes have been unsuccessful, the affidavit said. Hayes has not contacted police or the SPCA or filed missing dog reports with either agency.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com