'Threats' Target Montco Farm Sanctuary Charged With Animal Abuse

WORCESTER, PA — Friends of a Montgomery County farm animal sanctuary have vociferously rejected allegations that the owners abused their animals after a wide variety of criminal charges were brought forth last week.

Advocates for the owners also said that the farm has been receiving "hate mail" and "threats."

The Worcester-based House of the Wiggle Goats has been in the public eye since a May fire on the property killed 40 animals and injured many more. A GoFundMe was launched for the sanctuary and quickly raised nearly $70,000, but it didn't take long for other animal rescues to begin launching allegations of mistreatment.

Erin Beth Wiggle, 46, and Michael Wiggle, 52, of Lansdale, were charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and torture, five counts of animal neglect related to lack of drinking water, and five counts of animal neglect related to lack of proper veterinary care, according to court documents.

Family friend Shaina Columbia, who launched the GoFundMe on behalf of the Wiggles, said that the couple are "not the picture that other people have tried to paint."

"I know that when I was there to visit (the sanctuary) the last weekend of June, the animals had plenty of water (4 stock tanks) and food," Columbia said. "They were being fed while I was there. None of the animals were sickly, underweight, abused or 'tortured.' In fact, they were thriving and Nemo was healing. Shelters and shade were in place for all of the animals if they chose to be under/in it. All was readily available and accessible."

Another animal rescue, Bunny Brigade, cited horrific living conditions for animals, as well as dead animals "rotting" around the property. Toms River, New Jersey-based Eastern Snouts Adoption said their volunteers witnessed lack of basic shelter, poor and nutritionally deficient diets, "rampant" disease and parasites, and much more.

Columbia believes the Wiggles are being unfairly targeted.

"I am a private person and do not go out on a limb for people unless I believe they are decent people and trying to do good," she added. "Michael and Erin have always been this way as long as I’ve known them. I will stand beside them on this! No, that does not make me an 'animal abuser too.'"

While allegations surfaced in early June, charges were not filed against the Wiggles until last Wednesday, when they were arrested by animal control officers, court documents show. They are both awaiting preliminary hearings, which have not yet been scheduled.