PSPCA: Dog-fighting ring raided; drugs, guns, and cash found
With backup from Philadelphia police, PSPCA's Humane Law Enforcement Team raided a South Philadelphia property Saturday and found two dogs fighting, according to a release Sunday by the PSPCA.
Authorities broke up a dog-fighting ring in South Philadelphia on Saturday, rescuing two dogs, recovering drugs, firearms, and cash, and taking 14 people into custody, according to the Pennsylvania SPCA.
With backup from Philadelphia police, PSPCA's Humane Law Enforcement team raided a property around 9 p.m. Saturday on the 1200 block of South 35th Street, where they found two "pitbull-type" dogs fighting, according to a release Sunday by the PSPCA.
A search warrant was secured, and a subsequent sweep of the property uncovered two firearms, a large amount of cash, unspecified drugs, and a blood-spattered wooden fighting ring, according to the PSPCA.
Both dogs were taken to a PSPCA shelter hospital for treatment of wounds. They were in stable condition Sunday and will remain in the custody of the PSPCA until their owners give them up or the court case is resolved.
"Cases like this remind us that while we may not always hear about it, dog fighting is still happening in the city of Philadelphia," Nicole Wilson, director of Humane Law Enforcement at the PSPCA, said in a statement. "Our team has boots on the ground 365 days a year, investigating cases like this, and working to bring those involved to justice."
Early Sunday, an additional search warrant was executed on a suspect's vehicle. There, PSPCA officers found a dog wearing a weighted collar, consistent with fighting. While at that location, investigators found another dog in another vehicle. The dog appeared ill and was taken to the shelter for medical evaluation and treatment, according to spokeswoman Gillian Kocher.
Authorities did not release the names of those taken into custody or indicate whether charges had been filed Sunday. Dog-fighting is a felony, according to the PSPCA.
Authorities ask anyone with information about any cases of animal cruelty to call the PSPCA's cruelty hotline at 866-601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.