Philadelphia, June 2, 2009-On Sunday, May 31, the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) Humane Law Enforcement team seized 19 Pit Bulls from a house located at 923 Wynnewood Road in the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia. The suspect, David Nigro, 29, now faces 66 counts of animal cruelty. He is also being charged with weapons violations.
The Animal Care & Control Team, powered by the PSPCA, received a call earlier that day about a dead dog in the backyard of Nigro's property. They alerted the PSPCA Humane Law Enforcement Officers, who immediately investigated the case for possible animal cruelty and neglect. Upon arriving at the scene and discovering the dog, the officers obtained a warrant to enter the property Sunday afternoon. They found the dead dog, as well as 18 other Pit Bulls who were still alive, being kept in the yard and inside the house in extremely unsanitary conditions. The PSPCA rescued the dogs from Nigro's home and transported them to the PSPCA, where they are currently receiving medical treatment. Nigro was not home at the time of discovery.
The PSPCA also uncovered a cache of weapons, including several AK-47 assault rifles, along with illegal drugs including marijuana. Several hours later, Philadelphia police - working in cooperation with PSPCA officers - located Nigro at the 6600 block of Leeds Street, less than half a mile from his house on Wynnewood Road. The police arrested Nigro and took him into custody Sunday evening.
Nigro is being charged with weapons violations, in addition to 66 counts of animal cruelty, including: lack of veterinary care, unsanitary confinement, lack of shelter, failure to provide drinkable water, and four misdemeanor charges for mutilation.
To assist with animal cruelty cases such as this, the Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley and his wife, Jen, created "The Etana Fund to Stop Cruelty Against Animals" to benefit the PSPCA. As a non-profit organization, the PSPCA relies on donations to prevent and prosecute animal abuse and neglect cases. Our Humane Law Enforcement Officers investigate an average of 17 cases per day. Support from the "The Etana Fund" enabled the PSPCA to rescue the dogs from Wynnewood Road.
To donate to "The Etana Fund to Stop Cruelty Against Animals," visit http://www.pspca.org/donate/funds#etana or call the PSPCA at (215) 426-6300.
