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Demand for Justice: Ferret Death in Chambersburg, PA Sparks Call for Accountability
September 2025
Case Update: Accountability and Advocacy in Chambersburg Ferret Death Case We’re sharing an important update regarding the recent animal cruelty case in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania involving Amanda McCoy and Dylan Sellers. Since June, the AFA has been a visible and persistent presence throughout this case—attending multiple court appearances, circulating a petition that garnered hundreds of signatures, a local television appearance, and generating a wave of calls, emails, and letters to the Franklin County Court—making it unmistakably clear to the court that the public was watching and demanding accountability. On September 3, 2025, both individuals were sentenced following guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges stemming from a disturbing incident involving the abuse and killing of a child's pet ferret in retaliation for the child's curfew violation the previous evening.
Case Outcomes
Sentence:
Dylan Sellers
Sentence: This condition allows probation officers to assign rehabilitative or educational programs tailored to Dylan’s needs, such as counseling, behavioral therapy, and/or animal cruelty prevention education. We can only hope that such programs help him address his issues and prevents further cruelty to humans and animals. Additionally, both now have a criminal record, which can disqualify them from employment and create other life challenges, and that any behavior, and not just criminal convictions, that violates probation conditions—even indirectly, or if it is a civil violation—can result in revocation and jail time. Why the Sentences Differ
While Dylan was the individual who carried out the act of violence, Amanda’s sentence included an explicit
ban on animal ownership. This likely reflects: his difference highlights how judicial discretion and case context can lead to inconsistent sentencing outcomes, even when charges are similar. Our Focus Moving Forward We are encouraged that legal consequences were imposed as opposed to the case being thrown out or with minimal consequences (such as a small fine only), and the AFA remains committed to:
--Advocating for uniform enforcement of animal protection laws nationwide. This case reminds us that justice is not just about punishment—it’s about progress. In the end, that sweet baby's spirit knows that we showed up for it and we care. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to work toward a future where every animal is protected by strong, consistent laws. While it's natural to feel outrage in the face of such cruelty, it's essential that we channel that energy into meaningful advocacy for the animals we love. We encourage you to explore the animal cruelty laws in your own community and connect with the AFA Director of Legal and Legislative Affairs if you need support in driving change. Together, we can turn heartbreak into progress.
Dawn R. Carter, BSBA, MHA
August 2025
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 hearing—a 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 Pennsylvania’s 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
Call to Action 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.com/434/056/395/demand-justice-no-mercy-for-chambersburg-animal-abusers/ Share the story: https://local21news.com/news/local/traumatizing-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 dawncarter@ferret.org if a copy is needed. Justice for the voiceless matters. Let’s make sure this case sets a precedent that cruelty—no matter how small the victim—will not be tolerated. Let's keep up the momentum in making our voices heard!
Dawn R. Carter, BSBA, MHA
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 (7/22) 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 ferret's life is less than that of a dog or cat so a lesser sentence should be applied. "It's 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:
We'll 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 AFA's 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 ferret's body across the floor. Disturbingly, the victim also stated that Sellers declared, "Now we're 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 expert's 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 victim's account and the ferret's 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:
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. |
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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