At 2:30 a.m., Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers executed a search warrant and broke up a suspected dog fighting ring at a property on the 2200 block of N. Delhi St. in Philadelphia which had been under investigation for months. At the scene, officers found seven pit bulls and one cat. One of the seven dogs was found deceased in the basement of the property. The alleged operator of the ring was not at the scene and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. A female resident at the property was arrested and has been charged with third-degree felony animal cruelty related to possessing fighting animals and dog fighting paraphernalia. Additional charges through Philadelphia Police are pending bases upon evidence found at the scene.
“The area where the fighting ring was found was covered in blood,” said Pennsylvania SPCA Director of Law Enforcement George Bengal. “While we are saddened to have found one dog deceased at the scene, we are pleased to have shut down this alleged ring and potentially saved many more dogs from this senseless and vicious crime.”
All the animals were taken to Pennsylvania SPCA headquarters at 350 E. Erie Ave. for medical evaluation. The six remaining dogs had various levels of scarring with one dog needing surgery for injuries related to a recent fight. Many of the dogs were badly scarred. A necropsy will be performed on the deceased dog to determine the cause of death. All the animals that survived are in protective custody and are not available for adoption at this time.
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Philadelphia, has been dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse and neglect, providing lifesaving care and treatment, and reducing pet-overpopulation through low-cost spay-and-neuter clinics and public
awareness initiatives. Through these efforts, the Pennsylvania SPCA prevents cruelty toward animals and promotes respect for their welfare, thus enhancing the lives of people and their companion animals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania SPCA operates adoption centers in Wellsboro, Centre Hall, Danville and Montrose, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia headquarters, located at 350 E. Erie Ave., houses an animal hospital, obedience training academy, adoption facility and the Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department. Philadelphia’s Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT), powered by the Pennsylvania SPCA , is contracted by the city to perform animal control, as well as finding homes for Philadelphia's thousands of stray and surrendered animals via rescue, foster care, and adoption. To report animal cruelty or neglect, call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s 24-hour, statewide hotline at 866.601.7722. For more information about adopting, volunteering or donating to help victims of animal cruelty, please call 215.426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
