Brian Hagberg
COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Three people are facing multiple animal cruelty charges after a deceased dog was found under a Columbus Township residence in November 2023.
According to online court records, Quinn Oliver Harvey, 51 of Erie, Misty Lee Harvey, 52 of Erie, and Melissa Suzanne Smith, 45 of Erie, are all facing one count each of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals – Causing Severe Bodily Injury or Death (Felony 3), Cruelty to Animals (Misdemeanor 2), and Neglect of Animals – Sustenance/Water (Misdemeanor 3). Bail was set at $10,000 each.
According to the affidavits of probable cause, Pennsylvania State Police was dispatched to 770 Spencer Road in Columbus Township on Nov. 17, 2023, to assist the Warren County Humane Society with a reported dead dog. Three days later, a search warrant was executed on the residence and a light brown/blonde colored, mixed-breed dog was found deceased in a crawl space under the residence.
A choke collar and chain around the dog’s neck could not be removed due to the dog’s state of decomposition, according to police. According to the affidavits, police interviewed Smith and Quinn Harvey at the PSP-Corry barracks on Dec. 15, 2023, and Misty Harvey on Jan. 11, 2024.
Quinn Harvey said during the time Roxy lived with them, he was primarily responsible for letting the dog, Roxy, out and Smith was primarily responsible for bringing Roxy back inside, according to the affidavits. During the interviews, all three told police that Roxy ran away between two and three weeks before the trio moved to Erie in October 2023, according to police.
Smith said, “She was attempting to bring Roxy into the residence when Roxy got away from her and ran away from the residence,” the affidavit states. “Smith related when Roxy pulled away from her, Roxy completely pulled the collar off that was around her neck. Smith then related if there was a collar on Roxy’s neck when she was found deceased, she does not know where it would have come from.”
Police said all three said they searched for Roxy but were unable to locate her. Misty Harvey, according to the affidavit, said that she searched for Roxy two additional times after moving when she returned to the residence to pick up additional items.
According to the affidavit, police were informed on Dec. 1, 2023, that the Warren County Humane Society’s vet “advised the dog had been deceased for approximately two or more months prior to this incident being reported.”
“Misty Harvey related at no time did she smell an odor from the rotting corpse of Roxy, nor did anyone mention that Roxy was observed deceased under the residence,” the affidavit states.
A preliminary hearing is set for 3 p.m. on June 12, 2024, in front of Magisterial District Judge Todd Woodin.
