The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team has announced criminal charges against Andrew Culp and Jessica Drexler, both of West Hempfield Township, in connection with the April 22, 2026 rescue of 93 animals from their Lancaster County residence.
Culp and Drexler each face 2 felony counts, 38 misdemeanor counts, and 106 summary counts of animal cruelty. The charges stem from the forensic veterinary examinations of the 75 dogs and puppies, 16 cats and kittens, and 2 rabbits removed from the property during the execution of a search warrant by PSPCA officers.
“The sheer number of charges in this case reflects the scale of suffering endured by these 93 animals,” said Julie Klim, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. “Each charge represents an individual animal who was failed. These animals deserved clean shelter, proper care, and basic veterinary attention, not to mention love. We are committed to pursuing full accountability and ultimately new beginnings for every animal.”
Felony Charges
Culp and Drexler each face two felony counts of the third degree for failing to provide necessary veterinary care causing serious bodily injury.
Caio, a juvenile German Shepherd, was coated in dried feces and presented with severely ulcerated paw pads, anemia, a thin body condition, vomiting, diarrhea, pale appearance, and lethargy, and required multiple rounds of subcutaneous fluids, heat support, and continued emergent care at the PSPCA’s Shelter Hospital.
Megatron, a kitten, was fading on arrival at the PSPCA’s Hospital. The kitten presented with stunted and abnormal growth and obstipation, a severe, chronic form of constipation, as well as severe eye crusting, nasal discharge, hypothermia, and flea infestation.
Misdemeanor Charges — Bodily Injury and Imminent Risk
Culp and Drexler also face misdemeanor of the second-degree charges for knowingly, intentionally, and/or recklessly ill-treating five dogs. Phineas, Phoenix, Phantom, Jamie, and Jon each presented with thick matting containing feces. Post-grooming examinations revealed significant weight loss and skin injuries.
Culp and Drexler face misdemeanor of the third-degree charges for failing to provide clean and sanitary shelter to 24 canines causing bodily injury or placing them at imminent risk of serious bodily injury. The dogs presented with painful, ulcerated, paw pads and skin conditions consistent with prolonged exposure to unsanitary conditions.
Additionally, Culp and Drexler face misdemeanor of the third-degree charges for failing to provide necessary veterinary care to nine dogs causing bodily injury or placing them at imminent risk of serious bodily injury.
Among the dogs related to the misdemeanor charges were Worf and Thor, both Newfoundlands that presented with ear infections causing thickened canals and severe pain. Phineas, a Shih Tzu, presented with pyoderma, an inflammatory skin condition, as well as painful and stenotic ear canals, and weeping erosions.
Raya, a German Shepherd, presented with generalized demodicosis, a skin condition caused by Demodex mites, severe diffuse deep pyoderma, extensive ulcerations, diffuse alopecia, and severely ulcerated paw pads.
Knowingly, Intentionally and/or Recklessly ill-treating Summary Charges
Culp and Drexler are charged with knowingly, intentionally and/or recklessly ill-treating 3 dogs.
Among the dogs related to the charges were Rosie, a poodle type dog, along with Worf and Thor, both Newfoundlands. Each of these dogs presented with heavy matting containing fecal matter throughout their coats requiring them to be fully shaved down.
Shelter and Sanitary Conditions, Summary Level Charges
Culp and Drexler are also charged with failing to provide access to clean and sanitary shelter to 69 animals including rabbits, cats, and dogs. Nearly all the dogs removed from the property were coated in fecal matter with strong odors of ammonia. The two rabbits, Carmel and Snickers, presented with staining on their feet consistent with prolonged exposure to unsanitary conditions.
Failure to Provide Veterinary Care Summary Level Charges
Culp and Drexler are further charged with failing to provide necessary veterinary care to 34 animals.
Among those animals, Dora, a Chihuahua, presented with live fleas, flea dirt, hair loss, dermatitis, and overgrown nails; Elsa, a cat, presented with hair loss, flea allergy dermatitis, and an open pyometra, which is a serious infection of the uterus found in unaltered female cats; and Yoda, a Sphynx cat, presented with a nail bed infection, dirty and greasy skin, and periodontal disease with infection.
Multiple cats presented with upper respiratory infections, ear infections, alopecia, flea allergy dermatitis, and positive tests for giardia, an intestinal infection caused by a parasite often found in contaminated food, water or surfaces.
Numerous juvenile German Shepherds presented with demodectic mange, superficial pyoderma, live fleas, giardia, and roundworms.
Another group of six juvenile German Shepherds presented with live fleas, underweight to lean body conditions, enlarged abdomens with parasites, and ulcerated paw pads.
The Pennsylvania SPCA encourages anyone with information regarding this case or other incidents of animal cruelty to contact the organization’s Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Anonymous tips are accepted.
About
About The Pennsylvania SPCA
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA’s lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Animal Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
