PSPCA raids dog fighting in Philly neighborhoods

Months of investigation are paying off.  The Pennsylvania SPCA busted a Gray’s Ferry dog fighting operation Sunday night, followed by two more raids in Kensington today.  So far there are at least 16 arrests, and almost 20 dogs rescued.

PSPCA spokesperson Wendy Marano said at the first site, there was a dog fight in progress.  When the bust happened, people scattered–leaving two dogs fighting in the ring.  “We were able to separate them and rescue those dogs and rush them back to our headquarters where they received medical attention,” Marano said.  “Based on information that we received, in conjunction with that action, we were able to go and execute another warrant in the Kensington section.”In addition to the dogs, the raid uncovered something else at the second site, “While we were there executing that warrant, we also found a huge number of drugs and guns,” she said.  “So we believe that this was a serious dog fighting operation.  Usually those crimes kind of go hand-in-hand with each other.”  

Marano said the PSPCA is taking care of the rescued dogs,

“The two animals that were actively fighting when we broke up the first location, they’re getting veterinary care for their wounds, they will be fed, they will be cared for extremely well until we are able to bring this case to fruition,” she said.

Marano said the dogs will be kept as evidence until the case works its way through the court system–no matter how long that takes.