Philadelphia, PA (September 5, 2019) – The Pennsylvania SPCA executed a search warrant, rescuing a total of 55 dogs and puppies, on a property in Lancaster County Wednesday, September 4, over concerns for the welfare of animals.
The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Officers, acting on a referral from the Bureau of Dog Law, removed 55 dogs, including 22 Cane Corsos, 16 French Bulldogs, 13 Border Collies, 3 Pomskis and 1 Doberman Pinscher from the property in Narvon due to concerns for the unsanitary conditions of the property and the untreated medical conditions of the animals.
The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team, accompanied by the Lancaster County Detectives, executed the search warrant Wednesday afternoon. Initially expecting to remove approximately 40 dogs, the officers found more dogs not only in number, but suffering from untreated medical conditions.
Many of the dogs rescued are suffering from upper respiratory infections, and at least one puppy has a confirmed case of pneumonia.
The dogs removed from the property were brought to the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Philadelphia headquarters to be evaluated and treated by the organization’s Shelter Hospital Staff. The dogs will receive veterinary care, and all the juvenile dogs will be kept in quarantine for at least two weeks as they recover.
Of the 55 dogs removed from the property, only 26 have been surrendered to the Pennsylvania SPCA. The remaining dogs will remain in the protective custody of the Pennsylvania SPCA until they are signed over or the court case is adjudicated.
“The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team successfully removed nearly five dozen dogs from filthy and unlivable conditions on Wednesday,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement at the PSPCA. “Now, we begin the long road to recovery for many of these delicate animals, and working toward bringing their abuser to justice.”
“We hope that through this rescue we can give these puppies and dogs a second chance at the life they have always deserved,” said Julie Klim, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. “It is a sobering reminder to the public to do their homework before purchasing an animal. This proprietor marketed animals on a website that showed dogs living in beautiful environments that were not remotely reflective of the conditions we found when executing our warrant.”
The investigation 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.
About the Pennsylvania SPCA
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA's lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.