Horses seized from neglect
Philadelphia, PA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jan 23, 2009
County: Philadelphia
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 6 files available
Abuser names unreleased
Crumbling makeshift stables, rusty nails, and trash littered everywhere. Animal officials called the scene "horrifying."
After being rescued as part of a massive horse abuse raid, these horses will have a new chance at life.
An area plagued by cases of animal neglect once again became the target of animal welfare officers.
SPCA officers Friday conducted search warrants on four properties, including three row homes and a vacant lot, on the 2600 block of W. Fletcher Street in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city.
The stables on the street have drawn many visits over the years, and yet again, the SPCA was there hauling away victims of alleged neglect, reported Fox 29's John Atwater.
Investigators discovered makeshift stables attached to the rear of a row home.
"Where you would walk onto your patio, you instead walk into a barn," said an SPCA official.
A crumbling mishmash of rotten wooden planks served as shelter to at least two of the five horses. Investigators said the animals were forced to stand on nails, splintered wood and trash.
Investigators found what they called nothing short of "horrifying." They said two horses were close to death. SPCA experts said they were extremely underweight - one by 400 to 500 pounds.
"You can pretty much see all of their hip bones are protruding," said an SPCA official.
The fur of the gaunt and frail horses was matted down with mud and feces.
"We had information that there may be horses inside of the property, but we weren't sure. When we went back in with the warrant, phew, the conditions in the rear of this property that went from the dining room to the back of the house. I mean, there were makeshift stables with these three horses in them that were horrendous. It was one of the worst horse stables I've ever seen," says SPCA investigator George Bengal.
License & Inspection have condemned the three buildings.
The SPCA says two horses are in protective custody.
Officials say one of the homeowners will be charged with three counts of animal cruelty.
SPCA investigators found problems at other stables in the area. They plan to revisit the neighborhood to make sure those issues get resolved. References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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