Seven Dogs Endured 8 Inches of Waste in Camper—Now the Public Wants Justice
It’s being called one of the worst cases of animal neglect local humane officers have ever seen.
Seven dogs—six puppies and one adult—were rescued from a filthy camper in Oakdale, Pennsylvania, where they’d been left for months in unimaginable conditions.
The man responsible, 36-year-old Joshua Humes, now faces more than 50 counts of animal cruelty and neglect. Authorities say the animals were living in cages stacked with six to eight inches of feces, surrounded by rotting food, trash, and swarms of flies. Temperatures inside the camper soared with no air conditioning, turning the space into a stifling prison for the dogs.
✍️ Sign the petition to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership and mandatory psychological counseling for the person responsible.
A Rescue from Hell
The horrifying discovery was made after North Fayette police received an anonymous complaint about the dogs’ living conditions. When officers arrived, they found the animals in such poor shape that Michele Frennier, of the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, said it ranked among the worst cases they’d ever seen.
“They’re really a-socialized,” Frennier explained. “They don’t just lack social skills—they’ve never had them. They’ve been denied everything a dog needs to be happy and healthy.”
The puppies, only about six months old, were underweight and suffering from dental issues. The adult dog, a pit bull, was also malnourished and is now in foster care.
“They had no relief from the heat, no clean space to move around, no proper food or water,” Frennier added. “It’s shocking they survived at all.”
A Pattern of Neglect Ignored
According to court records and statements from the property owner, Humes had been allowed to keep the camper temporarily on the lot of JT Landscaping in Oakdale last November. What was meant to be a two-week arrangement dragged into nine months.
Owner Joe Tortorea said he repeatedly asked Humes to remove the camper and even called police multiple times, but each time, officers deemed the conditions “satisfactory” and no action was taken—until a zoning officer got involved.
By then, the dogs had been left to languish in filth for months.
“It’s a heinous crime,” said Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus, whose office coordinated Humes’ arrest. “To treat animals in that way is completely sickening.”
Authorities tracked Humes to a trailer in Bulger, Washington County, and arrested him early on a Saturday morning. They had received credible information he was planning to flee rather than turn himself in as agreed.
Why Accountability Matters
Cases like this are about more than rescuing the immediate victims—they’re about preventing future abuse. Experts say people who commit this level of cruelty should never be allowed near animals again, and they need psychological intervention before that cruelty escalates.
“Anyone who treats animals this way should not just face charges—they should face a lifetime ban on owning animals,” one local advocate said. “And they should get the mental health help they clearly need.”
The Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh is now providing round-the-clock care to help these dogs recover physically and emotionally. Rehabilitation may take months before they’re ready for adoption.
“These dogs deserve to know what it’s like to live in a clean home, to feel safe, to be loved,” Frennier said. “We’re going to make sure they get that chance.”
From Survivors to Symbols for Change
While the rescued dogs slowly heal, the case is galvanizing public outrage and calls for stronger legal protections for animals in Pennsylvania. Advocates stress that without lasting consequences for abusers, the cycle of neglect will continue.
This isn’t just about the seven dogs found in that camper—it’s about every animal left to suffer behind closed doors.
✍️ Sign the petition to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership and mandatory psychological counseling for the man responsible.
Humes remains in the Allegheny County Jail without bail, facing more than 50 charges. The dogs remain at over 90% capacity shelters, where resources are stretched thin. Shelter staff urge struggling pet owners to reach out for help rather than let their animals suffer—there are resources to keep pets in homes when challenges arise.
How You Can Help
You can play a role in ensuring this kind of cruelty is never repeated. By adding your name to the petition, you’re joining thousands of others demanding that Pennsylvania courts send a clear message: animal abuse will not be tolerated.
These seven dogs survived against the odds. Now, they deserve to live out their days in loving homes, free from fear and suffering.
✍️ Sign the petition to protect animals from abusers for life. No more second chances for people who treat animals like this.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- 100+ Animals Pulled From NY Home So Unsafe It Was Condemned—Calls for Justice Grow Louder
- Puppy Left in Plastic Tote to Suffer in South Carolina Sparks Outrage—Public Demands Justice
- 100+ Dogs Found in “Unimaginable Filth” Inside NYC Home — Now Advocates Demand Justice
- Town Leader Strangled a Lost Golden Retriever in Front of a Good Samaritan—Now the Public Demands Justice
- Man Tried to Drown His Dog in Miami Beach Ocean as Horrified Crowd Watched. Now the Public Wants Justice.
