Montgomery County, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 25, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, Lower Salford Township Police Chief Thomas A. Medwid and Towamencin Township Police Chief Paul T. Dickerson announce that criminal charges have been filed against Linda Muchnick in connection with an event Thursday, August 20, 2009, in Towamencin Township for both Cruelty to Animals and Attempted Cruelty to Animals.

 

On August 20, 2009, shortly after 1:20 PM, Towamencin Township Police received a report that a veterinary clinic had received information that Linda Muchnick, of the 1600 block of East Bishopwood Boulevard in Harleysville, intended to kill herself and her collection of 29 cats and one dog.  She stated that financial hardship made her want to kill herself and her animals.

 

Towamencin Township Police went to Muchnick’s residence to check on her well being.  Receiving no response, they entered her home.  While searching the residence police found 29 cats in a locked bedroom with no open windows.  There was an overwhelming stench throughout the home of feces and urine.  Several of the cats appeared to be in a state of distress.  Upon further investigation, officers determined that D-Con rat poison had been placed in the food bowls of the cats.

 

Ms. Muchnick was found in a separate, locked, poorly ventilated bedroom with a sick looking pit bull dog.  Along with the ill pit bull dog and an unresponsive Ms. Muchnick, more D-Con rat poison was found.  Ultimately, one cat died as a result of ingesting rat poison.  As a result of the abovementioned facts, Linda Muchnick has been charged with 1 count of Animal Cruelty-Killing an Animal and 29 counts of Attempted Animal Cruelty by Poisoning.
  
Assistant District Attorney Abigail Silverman is assigned to prosecute this case.    

 

Approved for Release:

 

 

 

               Kevin R. Steele