PSPCA Officers Rescue Emaciated Dogs From North Philadelphia Home
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The pit bull chained to a fence and sitting in a backyard full of trash in North Philadelphia looked like it had not eaten in days - its bones visible through its skin. The PSPCA says this dog was in far better shape than the other one that was found.
"It was buried," said George Bengal, of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, "literally buried alive in the trash."
The First Judicial Court Warrant Officers were the first to show up at the scene, serving a warrant for aggravated assault. They arrested a 41-year-old woman and found the dogs in the backyard.
"The dog that was buried looked like it hadn't eaten in weeks, and it was skin over bones," said Bengal.
Piles of trash stacked up in the backyard. Inside, the PSPCA says they found fleas, parasites, and a cat that was also starving. Neighbors have a name for the house.
"It's called the dirty house," said one woman who did not want to be identified. "Everyone knows that."
Eric Smallwood, Senior, 34, and his son, 19-year-old Eric, Jr. were cited for animal cruelty and the PSPCA says at least three more people will get citations. Authorities say they even found drugs in the house.
The PSPCA took all the animals out of the house for treatment. The pit bulls came out with their tails wagging. They say the animals should recover and be just fine after they get some food.
The investigation into the drugs is ongoing.
