Honey Brook Dog Owner Injected Animals With Epsom Salt, Shot Them

HONEY BROOK, PA — Five dogs are in search of homes after being rescued from the property of a Honey Brook man who pleaded guilty this week to charges of animal cruelty related to the deaths of several dogs.

Ammon Stoltzfus of Honey Brook pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty stemming from the deaths of dogs on his property, according to the Pennsylvania Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (PSPCA).

A report from PSPCA said that in an attempt to kill the dogs, who had bacterial infections, Stoltzfus injected five dogs, including a 4-month-old puppy, with Epsom salts and subsequently shot them when the injections proved ineffective at killing the animals.

Stoltzfus will be on probation for 10 years and will be prohibited from owning animals during that time. The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team will have unannounced inspection rights during those 10 years, a news release said.

On Thursday, the PSPCA’s team removed the remaining dogs from Stoltzfus’ property, including a Shih Tzu, two Yorkshire Terriers, a miniature poodle, and a Yorkipoo. The dogs were brought to the Pennsylvania SPCA’s headquarters in Philadelphia where they will undergo medical examinations.

The dogs will be in search of homes, PSPCA said.

The case began in May 2019 when the Bureau of Dog Law contacted PSPCA’s officers about the reported use of Epsom salt on dogs on the property. Officers inspected and found dead dogs on the property, with Stoltzfus saying three others had been disposed of in a swamp, the PSPCA reported.

A month later officers seized three dogs over concerns of lack of veterinary care. Charges from this separate incident were included in the plea deal, according to the PSPCA report.

“While we can never take back the pain and suffering these dogs endured, we can provide the justice they deserve and additionally ensure that no other animal be harmed by Stoltzfus’ hand,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement.

Wilson added, “We can assure you that we take our inspection rights very seriously.”

Anyone with information about this case, or other cases involving animal cruelty, is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.

Pennsylvania SPCA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Ave., Philadelphia dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect.

For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.

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