After critically ill puppies dumped, Pennsylvania SPCA Animal Law Enforcement team follows lead to North Philadelphia residence, executes search warrant

PSPCA team finds two dogs being kept outside in extreme temperatures at property of individuals believed to have dumped 2 critically ill puppies at ACCT late last week

Philadelphia, PA (Tuesday, July 29, 2025) – The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team executed a search warrant on Monday, July 28, removing 2 dogs from the property of the individuals believed to have dumped two critically ill puppies at ACCT Philly late last week.

The PSPCA’s team, responding to tips provided by the public, investigated the property on the 1200 block of West Russell Street yesterday. There, they discovered a vehicle matching the description of the one featured in security footage from ACCT Philly’s headquarters of two women leaving puppies covered in necrotic wounds and maggots at the shelter on Thursday.

When officers were able to gain access to view the property’s backyard, a German Shepherd type dog was visible without access to shade or adequate shelter in the extreme temperatures.

Animal Law Enforcement Officers secured a search warrant and entered the property last evening. When they returned with the warrant, two dogs were outside in the yard in the excessive heat. Both were seized and transported to the PSPCA’s headquarters for forensic examination and care.

The investigation began when ACCT Philly contacted the PSPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team about two critically injured puppies left outside of ACCT Philly on Thursday afternoon. The puppies were transferred into the care of the PSPCA and received emergency veterinary care.

Simultaneously, the PSPCA launched an investigation, including releasing security footage to the media and on social media, in an effort to identify the individuals in question and determine if other animals were in need for assistance.

The two puppies, found with with necrotic wounds and infested with maggots throughout their small bodies, are recovering in the PSPCA’s care. They are improving daily.

The two additional dogs removed from the property yesterday have not been signed over to the PSPCA and will remain in the care of the organization until the adjudication of the court case.

“Through the hard work and dedication of our Animal Law Enforcement team, and with the assistance of those who helped identify the individuals in question, two more animals are safe in our care today,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Animal Law Enforcement and Shelter Services at the Pennsylvania SPCA.

“Every day our team is working to save animals from acts of cruelty and neglect, and since Thursday we’ve been working furiously to determine if more animals were suffering at the home of those who dumped the puppies. Through our investigation, we found that to be the case, and are proud to say that all four animals are safe today.”

The investigation into animal cruelty and neglect is ongoing, and charges are pending the conclusion of the full investigation.

Anyone with information about this case, or other cases involving animal cruelty, is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.