KY couple indicted on charges of animal cruelty, abuse over living conditions
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Couple indicted on 62 animal‑cruelty counts and one criminal‑abuse count.
- Police found feces‑filled cages, too many birds and rats, insects and hazardous conditions.
- Investigation after tip led to April 8 arraignment and $5,000 bonds for the couple.
A Kentucky couple has been indicted on animal cruelty and criminal abuse charges after officials found deplorable living conditions at their home, according to court documents.
Gregory Crawford, 36, and Tabitha Crawford, 35, both of Harrodsburg, were indicted Friday on 62 counts of second-degree cruelty to animals and one count of second-degree criminal abuse, according to court records. The indictment comes more than two weeks after officials toured the Crawfords’ home and discovered conditions that were “not at all suitable living conditions for a juvenile, let alone three adults,” court documents say.
Harrodsburg police and the Department for Community Based Services were sent to the Crawfords’ home on Pheasant Drive in Mercer County Feb. 4 after receiving an anonymous tip of potential neglect of a juvenile, court documents say.
Gregory Crawford, a juvenile and another family member were home during the visit.
Court documents say the living room was “piled high with feces filled cages with too many birds and rats to count.”
Other parts of the home were also reportedly covered in feces, including the juvenile’s bedroom.
“It was extremely difficult to find a place to walk without completely submerging your shoes into dog feces and urine,” court documents read.
Other rooms in the house raised alarm during the visit and insect activity was present.
“I believe that these living conditions would place everyone in this home in a situation that may cause serious physical injury,” the court documents continue.
The citation did not give details on the health of the animals or the status of the juvenile living at the home.
Gregory Crawford is scheduled to be arraigned in Mercer Circuit Court Wednesday, April 8, according to court records. His bond, and Tabitha Crawford’s, is set at $5,000. It was not immediately clear if the couple has an attorney.
