Animals seized

house condemned

April 04, 2007

The remains of a dog, a cat and seven birds were taken from the Hagerstown home of a man who was sentenced to supervised probation about five years ago on animal cruelty charges, according to the Humane Society of Washington County.

John Lestitian, chief inspector for the City of Hagerstown, said 115 Wakefield Road was condemned after he and three other inspectors investigating a complaint of an odor at the home executed an administrative warrant Monday.

The Humane Society said in a press release that nine live dogs and two live cats were taken from the home. Two of the dogs were taken to a local veterinarian for fight-related injuries.

"The urine and the feces throughout the structure led to our determination that the place needs to be condemned," Lestitian said.

Kenneth Green Jr., who owns the property, according to state tax records, appeared to be living in the home, Lestitian said.

Green, who faced 37 counts of animal cruelty in 2002, was sentenced to probation after he entered seven Alford pleas to charges that he did not provide adequate care to animals. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the state has sufficient evidence to gain a conviction.

Green said he was housing the dogs for Second Chance Rescue in Inwood, W.Va., and Safe Haven Dog Rescue in Martinsburg, W.Va., the Humane Society's press release says.

The Herald-Mail has reported that Berkeley County Animal Control seized 149 dogs from Second Chance Rescue last year. Mara Spade, the facility's owner, is charged with one count of animal cruelty.

Lestitian said Tuesday that he expects a contractor to begin cleaning the home today. Green will be charged for the costs of the work, and the home will remain condemned.

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