Update: Justice Must Prevail in the Chambersburg Ferret Death Case On the heels of public outrage and heartbreak over the tragic and cruel death of a ferret in Chambersburg, PA, the two defendants, charged with four felonies and eight misdemeanors, have waived their preliminary hearinga legal move that allows the case to proceed without an initial review of the evidence. By signing a waiver, the defendants essentially agree that a crime was committed, and the defendant was likely the person who committed it. This agreement paves the way for plea bargaining or trial. Their formal arraignment, where the defendants formally enter their plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest, is now scheduled for September 3rd at 12:30 PM ET in the Franklin County, PA Court of Common Pleas. While this waiver is a common procedural step in Pennsylvanias justice system, it also signals that plea negotiations may already be underway. In Pennsylvania, plea deals can be reached before formal arraignment, potentially allowing defendants to avoid trial altogether. These deals that are made to avoid trial are also common in cases such as this one that have attracted significant public and media attention. Why This Matters This case is not just about one animalits about accountability, compassion, and the standards we set for humane treatment of ALL animals, no matter how big or small. A plea deal, if reached, must reflect the seriousness of the offense and the publics demand for justice. We cannot allow this case to be quietly resolved without meaningful consequences, and the AFA Director of Legal and Legislative will be monitoring constantly for updates prior to the September 3rd formal arraignment date. If a plea is reached before that date and the terms of the deal unsatisfactory, the AFA stands ready to pivot to a robust PR campaign decrying the injustice and calling for reform. Call to Action We urge the Franklin County District Attorneys Office to: Ensure any plea agreement includes appropriate penalties that reflect the gravity of the crime. In Pennsylvania, where animal cruelty laws are considered to be among the stricter in the US, felony animal cruelty in punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a 15,000 fine. Animal abuse in front of children and the use of weapons, such as in this case, are factors that elevate the charges. Consider community service, mandatory counseling, and animal cruelty education as part of sentencing. Maintain transparency with the public throughout the process. We are disappointed that at the 729 hearing the AFAs significant presence was ignored, and calls to the district attorney were not returned. We also call on the community to: Stay informed and attend the arraignment with the AFA, if possible, on September 3, 2025, at 12:30 PM ET at the Franklin Country PA Courthouse. Look to this page for updates if a plea bargain is reached prior to that date. Contact local officials to express your concern and commitment to animal welfare. Support local shelters and advocacy groups working to prevent cruelty. Share and sign petition: https:www.thepetitionsite.com434056395demand-justice-no-mercy-for-chambersburg-animal-abusers Share the story: https:local21news.comnewslocaltraumatizing-two-accused-of-shooting-childs-pet-ferret-to-death-appear-in-court Contact local officials: Magisterial Judge Kelly Rock, 2038 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17202, T: (717) 263-5820. A template is available for a respectful, reasoned letter; please contact Dawn Carter at dawncarterferret.org if a copy is needed. Justice for the voiceless matters. Lets make sure this case sets a precedent that crueltyno matter how small the victimwill not be tolerated. Lets keep up the momentum in making our voices heard! Dawn R. Carter, BSBA, MHA Director, Legal and Legislative American Ferret Association July 2025 The preliminary hearing for Dylan Sellers, 28 and Amanda McCoy, 36 to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a trial is set for July 29, 2025, between 1:30 and 3:30 PM ET. This was a continuance from June 24, 2025, likely because the defendants had retained private counsel, Jesse Congo of Kitay Law Offices, rather than use a public defender and the counsel needed time to prepare. The Humane Officer, Russ Harper, who performed the criminal forensics along with the state veterinarian, reassured me that their jurisdiction takes animal cruelty very seriously and since the defendants are charged with four felonies and eight misdemeanors it is unlikely that this will be a situation where there is simply the proverbial slap on the wrist. Officer Harper also assured me that the Court knows that the AFA was there on the 24th, and will be back on the 29th. Andrew Klein of CBS21, the reporter who interviewed me for the segment that aired on June 24, will be there on the 29th to interview me again and cover the case again. As of right now (722) the case is still on the active docket and has not been continued, pled down, or thrown out, which is a victory in and of itself. If justice is not served by an unsatisfactory plea agreement or dismissal, our efforts will pivot to more generic reform of penalties for animal cruelty. Pennsylvania law specifies up to 7 years in prison and 15,000 fine for felonies. We are holding out hope that the courts do not succumb to species-ism and reason that a ferrets life is less than that of a dog or cat so a lesser sentence should be applied. Its just a ferret! will be completely unacceptable as a defense for a lesser sentence. This ferret suffered terribly and died a slow and painful death according to the forensics, and Officer Harper told me that our efforts and the visibility of this case makes a difference. Take Action: Sign the petition: click here to sign Share the story: click to go to the article to share Contact Judge Kelly Rock: 2038 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17202 (717) 263-5820 Show Up: July 29, 1:30 PM ET Courtroom 6, 14 N. Main St., Chambersburg, PA Well be hitting the promotion hard on Monday, July 28th, so please answer the call to action! June 2025 A recent tragic incident involving the death of a ferret in Chambersburg, PA, has ignited a fervent plea for justice from the American Ferret Association (AFA), which is urging Magisterial District Judge Kelly Rock to advance serious animal cruelty charges to trial. The case, involving Dylan Sellers and Amanda McCoy, includes four felony and eight misdemeanor charges, including aggravated cruelty to animals, neglect, possession of an instrument of crime, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy. The AFA has formally advocated for the progression of this case to trial via a letter delivered to Judge Rock via certified mail from AFAs Director of Legal and Legislative Affairs, Dawn Carter. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for June 24, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time in Courtroom 6 of the Franklin County Judicial Building in Chambersburg and are open to the public. According to a detailed account from a 16-year-old victim, the incident began after he and his sister missed curfew. The victim reported that the next morning, when he and his sister were playing with their ferret in the garage, Dylan Sellers allegedly shot their pet ferret twice with a BB gun, first in the head, and then again when the initial shot did not kill the animal. Sellers then reportedly kicked the ferrets body across the floor. Disturbingly, the victim also stated that Sellers declared, Now were even, and both children were forced to clean up the blood after Sellers disposed of the ferret in the trash. The 16-year-old victim removed the animal from the trash and buried it with a rubber duck and a blanket and summoned the police. Physical evidence in the case includes the exhumed body of the ferret, corroborated by a forensic report indicating the animal was shot in the head, not twice as claimed, but four times. An experts assessment revealed that the first shot likely caused significant pain and neurological distress, with subsequent shots leading to internal bleeding, airway obstruction, and potential aspiration. The ferret is believed to have died from asphyxiation or circulatory collapse, corroborating the victims account and the ferrets pain and suffering. Addressing claims from the defendants that they were euthanizing the animal due to the inability to provide it proper veterinary and other care, the AFA states that shooting is generally not considered a humane or reliable method of euthanasia due to the difficulty in ensuring instantaneous death and the high risk of causing immense pain and distress, as evidenced in this case by the need for multiple shots. Ethical veterinary standards advocate for methods that ensure rapid unconsciousness and death with minimal pain, typically involving intravenous injections by trained professionals. The defendants admitted that at no time did they consider contacting an animal shelter to surrender the animal if it was true that they were no longer able to care for it. Additionally, the AFA emphasizes the critical link between animal cruelty and other forms of violence, including child abuse, highlighting how this case involving children who witnessed and were compelled to clean up the crime underscores this connection. The AFA further argues that using the killing of an animal as punishment is fundamentally an inappropriate form of punishment due to its inherent cruelty, inhumane nature, and illegality; inflicting immense suffering and contravening basic ethical standards. Forcing children to witness and clean up such an act is deeply traumatizing, with potential for severe emotional distress, fear, anxiety, and long-term psychological harm. Such actions normalize violence and can desensitize children, potentially fostering a propensity for violence in their future behavior. The AFA has been raising awareness and garnering community support through media outreach, letter-writing campaigns, and petitioning, with Dawn Carter, Director of Legal and Legislative Affairs for the AFA, planning to attend the June 24th hearing. If people are unable to attend the hearing, there are several ways they can still support the call for justice in the Chambersburg ferret death case: Engage on Social Media: Share information about the case and the AFAs advocacy. Use relevant hashtags like ChambersburgFerretJustice or EndAnimalCruelty to raise awareness and encourage discussion. Write Letters: Participate in letter-writing campaigns to express concerns to relevant officials, such as the Magisterial District Judge, local prosecutors, or elected representatives. Sign Petitions: Look for and sign online or local petitions that advocate for the case to proceed to trial and for stricter animal cruelty laws. The main petition is located here: Contact the American Ferret Association (AFA): Reach out to the AFA directly for additional information or to offer support. The AFA is actively involved in raising awareness and garnering community support. Contact dawncarterferret.org to offer support or ask for information. Spread Awareness in Their Community: Discuss the importance of addressing animal cruelty with friends, family, and local groups, and share the specifics of this case. Support Animal Welfare Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations like the AFA or local animal shelters that work to protect animals and advocate for their welfare. In conclusion, the senseless killing of a defenseless ferret and the traumatizing impact on young witnesses in Chambersburg demand unwavering accountability. This is not merely an isolated incident; it is a stark reminder of the critical link between animal cruelty and broader societal violence, particularly against children. We must send an unequivocal message that such barbaric acts will not be tolerated. Join the fight for justice. Whether you can attend the June 24th hearing or not, your voice is crucial. Sign the petition, share this story on social media, contact local officials, and support the American Ferret Association. Let us stand together to ensure that the suffering of this innocent animal and the trauma inflicted upon these children are met with the fullest extent of justice, reinforcing legal and ethical standards for all vulnerable beings. Stay tuned to the AFR for updates regarding this case.