BIG RUN – Animal cruelty charges have been filed against a 68-year-old man after dead chickens and rabbits were found on his Big Run property.
According to court documents, John Benko moved to the Philadelphia area earlier this year due to health issues. While his Jefferson County property was being cleaned, numerous dead animals were found as well as six rabbits and three dozen chickens still alive.
Benko told police that he provided the animals with food and water, but he thinks some of them were killed by dogs or the cold weather.
Benko’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for today.
