Vigil for puppy found hanged, tortured, in playground

Animal welfare advocates will hold a vigil Thursday afternoon for a pit bull puppy found tortured and hanging in an Olney playground.

The 1-year-old puppy was discovered Tuesday hung on its own leash from a piece of playground equipment, a six-foot-tall metal spring, at the Barrett Playground at 8th and Duncannon Streets.

"This was not an accident," said Liz Williamson, spokeswoman for the PSPCA. "This was deliberate."

The puppy - posthumously named Flora - was hung so that her feet were "not even an inch off the ground," Williamson said.

"Her back paws were bloody from trying to scramble to free herself," Williamson said. "It was not a quick death. It was a slow strangulation death."

A $3,500 reward was posted yesterday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Tipsters may call the PSPCA's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 866-601-7722.

The vigil will be held at the playground Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

"The goal is to send a powerful message to the City of Philadelphia: violence against any living being will not be tolerated," said Kim Wolf, a vigil organizer.

Speakers at the vigil will include Councilman Bill Greenlee, Assistant District Attorney Barbara Paul, and PSPCA CEO Susan Cosby.

Donations in memory of Flora will be used to help other abused animals, Williamson said. Call 215-426-6304 ext. 217. or e-mail at development@pspca.org for information.