Judge reduces million-dollar bail for Bedford dog hoarding duo

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to show MDJ Baker lowered the bail, not Osman as previously reported from court dockets.

BEDFORD, Pa. (WTAJ) –The duo accused of hoarding and abusing nearly 100 animals at their Bedford home have had their bail reduced from one million dollars.

Nyal Barton Piper, 81, and Renee Lynn Piper, 62, are each facing nearly 500 charges including animal cruelty, neglect, and aggravated assault of animals, among others, court dockets show.

On Wednesday, March 27, Magisterial District Judge Brian Baker agreed to reduce the million-dollar bail to $250,000 straight. After the decision, multiple people began to cry or try to argue with the judge.

In addition to the reduced bail, if they are released, they may not have contact with any animals, living or dead, and cannot leave Bedford without permission from their probation officers. The duo must also allow State Police or the probation office to conduct unannounced inspections of their home.

During his opening, attorney Thomas Dickey read off all the charges of Douglas Ilgen, who was charged with rape, versus his bail of $125,000, saying the Piper’s bail “shocked the justice system.” Bedford County District Attorney Ashlan Clark said it was apples to oranges and the biggest concern is the threat to the community and the victims — who are animals, saying that “animals are vulnerable.”

In December, police said they found a total of 90 dogs living in cages, covered in filth and feces with very little food and water. There were also eight cats and a turtle in the home.

After the discovery, the duo allegedly had three more dogs in poor condition in a Johnstown home where they were staying.

The animals were taken to Bedford County Humane Society, and other shelters, to be cared for.

“The atrocious and seemingly intentional mistreatment of these animals is difficult to grasp,” Clark previously said. “We cannot erase the torture and neglect that these animals endured, but we can work to bring them the justice they deserve.”

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Although “atrocious,” the community came together to help the Bedford County Humane Society with the animals, many of which have since been adopted or fostered, including Murdoch the basset hound. Murdoch’s new family said he couldn’t even walk when they adopted him. They said he didn’t know what grass was and didn’t know how to be a dog. For dogs like Murdoch, settling into their newfound freedom can be a long, slow process.

WTAJ’s Jordan Mansberger contributed to this report.

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