Abandoned ‘choking’ pit bull rescued in Northwest Philly park

Responding to a cruelty-hotline tip Tuesday morning, Pennsylvania SPCA humane law-enforcement officers rescued an abandoned, choking dog at Awbury Park in West Oak Lane.

The officers found the dog, a black and white pit bull, near the tennis courts. It had been tied to a chain-link fence with a cable and electrical tape since 8 p.m. Monday, according to the tipster.

“The dog was tied so shortly to the fence that she couldn’t support herself and had been choking,” said George Bengal, the PSPCA’s director of humane law enforcement. “Abandoning a pet is a crime and, in this case, it could have resulted in a slow and painful death.”

Tragedy averted

The dog is being treated at the PSPCA’s shelter hospital, where staff have named her Venus. She is expected to make a full recovery.

“It’s like night and day from yesterday,” Sarah Eremus of the PSPCA told NewsWorks on Wednesday. “She’s doing great.”

PSPCA urges anyone with information that might help locate the person who abandoned Venus to call their cruelty hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. They are offering a $500 reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.