Philip Malencore facing animal cruelty charges after 188 animals removed from his property over concerns for their welfare
Philadelphia, PA (May 19, 2021) – The Pennsylvania SPCA, alongside the Briar Creek Township Police Department, executed an arrest warrant for Philip Malencore of Berwick today. Malencore has been charged with 353 counts of animal cruelty, including 11 felony, seven misdemeanor and 335 summary offenses.
Previously, on Wednesday, April 21, the Pennsylvania SPCA executed a search warrant at Malencore's property over concerns for animal welfare, removing a total of 188 animals in the process. Among the animals rescued were 112 pigeons; 37 rabbits, including newborns; 13 sheep, including young lambs; 13 doves; six chickens; two ducks; two dogs; one peacock; one miniature horse and one donkey.
The animals were removed from the property over concerns for unsanitary housing, lack of potable water and lack of veterinary care.
Malencore is being charged on the felony level for knowingly and intentionally torturing a donkey who was observed to have overgrown hooves causing prolonged pain and suffering; failure to provide veterinary care for the donkey as well as two adult rabbits, resulting in the death of one rabbit; and failure to provide necessary sustenance to seven sheep which were found to be in an emaciated body condition.
On the misdemeanor level, Malencore is facing charges for failure to provide necessary veterinary care to a mini horse who was underweight with severe dental abnormalities, including ulcers inside the mouth; failure to provide necessary sustenance to three underweight adult sheep, causing bodily injury; and failure to provide necessary veterinary care to two dogs and one rabbit. The dogs tested positive for Lyme disease, presented with ticks attached and were found to have whipworms.
Summary offenses include failure to provide access to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the elements for all animals seized from his property; recklessly illtreating eight sheep by failing to sheer them, causing their coats to be so overgrown they became hard with fecal soiling and unsanitary coats; and failure to provide access to potable water for 139 of his animals.
"The sheer number of animals in this case who were subjected to cruelty and neglect is staggering," said Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement & Shelter Operations at the Pennsylvania SPCA. "As we seek justice for all the animals, we are simultaneously ensuring that they are being given the necessary care by our medical and animal care staff and are on the road to recovery."
To date, Malencore has refused to surrender the animals to the Pennsylvania SPCA. They will remain in the organization's protective custody until he does so or until the adjudication of the case.
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.