(Credit: House of Wiggle Goats/Facebook)
Authorities allege dozens of animals were emaciated, injured, or dead in the aftermath of the May blaze at House of Wiggle Goats in Worcester Township
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for December for two Montgomery County animal rescue owners facing felony animal cruelty charges, following a police investigation into the aftermath of a devastating barn fire, in which they raised tens of thousands of dollars.
Erin Beth Wiggle, 46, of Worcester Township, and her husband, Michael C. Wiggle, 52, were each charged in July by Montgomery County Animal Control with four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals via torture, along with five misdemeanor counts each of animal neglect for lack of sustenance and for failing to provide veterinary care.
Erin Beth Wiggle, of Worcester (Credit: Erin Beth Wiggle/Facebook)Both are free on $10,000 unsecured bail each, ahead of their Dec. 17 preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Adam T. Katzman. It is the third rescheduling of their hearing since arraignment in August.
The charges stem from allegations of long-term neglect at the nonprofit rescue and sanctuary they operated, House of Wiggle Goats, located on Weber Road.
(Credit: Erin Beth Wiggle/Facebook)
(Credit: Erin Beth Wiggle/Facebook)According to CBS Philadelphia and an affidavit of probable cause filed by a Pennsylvania SPCA officer, the investigation began May 30 — two days after a fire destroyed a historic barn on the property and killed an estimated 40 animals. In the days following the fire, multiple rescue organizations and volunteers visited the property to assist with surviving animals and reported signs of serious neglect.
Investigators said they observed extremely thin and emaciated goats and pigs, including one goat rated 1 out of 5 on a standard body condition scale, with 1 indicating severe emaciation. Photos provided to police reportedly showed visible bones protruding from animals’ bodies, and officers said some animals had been seen eating the remains of deceased animals to survive.
“There were numerous animals that didn’t die in the fire that were observed to be injured, skinny, and eating deceased animal remains,” the affidavit stated. “These conditions were not consistent with conditions resulting from a fire.”
Police said several animals were seized during the investigation due to a lack of appropriate veterinary care. Witness accounts from multiple animal welfare groups — including Revolution Philadelphia, Philly Bully Team, and Eastern Snouts Adoption and Rehoming — detailed unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and the absence of proper food, water, or shelter.
In social media posts shared after the fire, Wiggle claimed the blaze was caused by a mouse nest behind the electrical breaker box and that no foul play was suspected. She and her husband, Michael, posted video updates thanking the community and confirming insurance coverage would help rebuild.
A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $68,000 following the tragedy, according to public records and nonprofit watchdogs.
Nemo the goat following the fire, posted July 19, 2025. (Credit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-house-of-wiggles-animal-care-post-barn-fire?attribution_id=sl:12f04d40-fef5-40ae-acbc-4f3eb6093e68〈=en_US&ts=1748446226&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_c-amp15_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_c)Erin Wiggle is a former U.S. Army military police officer who served from 1998 to 2002.
In the wake of the charges, groups called for a complete seizure of all remaining livestock in light of the charges via Facebook, posting pictures of alleged neglect on the property.
Anyone with concerns about animal welfare at House of Wiggle Goats is urged to contact Montgomery County Animal Control or the PSPCA.
The House of Wiggle Goat Farm page was pulled from Facebook.
The Wiggles are represented by Eagleville attorney Nathan Schadler. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle Hughes.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
