A Chester County SPCA Humane Police Officer holds three of the puppies rescued in Parkesburg, Thursday night.
WEST CHESTER – Two Parkesburg Borough residents will be the first to be charged under a new state law that specifically makes it illegal to possess animal fighting paraphernalia.
Thursday night at 10:45 pm, Chester County SPCA Humane Police Officers, assisted by local police and State Probation and Parole agents, executed a search warrant on a residence in the 400 Block of West 4th Avenue in Parkesburg Borough, Chester County.
The investigation initiated when CCSPCA Humane Police Officers were contacted by State Probation and Parole agents after they conducted a routine check of an offender. Agents informed CCSPCA that they had seen what appeared to be animal fighting equipment in the home.
CCSPCA Humane Police Officers say they discovered numerous items and equipment believed to be dog fighting paraphernalia used to train fighting dogs, which under a new state law, is illegal to possess.
Based on this information a search warrant was written. When the warrant was signed and approved entry was made into the residence, CCSPCA Humane Police Officers discovered numerous items and equipment believed to be dog fighting paraphernalia used to train fighting dogs. Among those items were two large dog treadmills, anabolic steroid injectable liquids, syringes, weighted vests, and printed propaganda promoting dogfighting.
CCSPCA Humane Police Officers seized five adult pit bull terriers and seven pit bull terrier puppies, approximately 4 weeks of age. The adult pit bulls terriers had scaring to their faces and bodies which is consistent with injuries associated with dogfighting. All twelve dogs were transported to the Chester County SPCA where they will be held until they are available for adoption. CCSPCA Executive Director Adam Lamb stated, “We are thankful to have these dogs in our custody and will do everything we can to find them new, loving homes for the holidays.”
On March 4, 2015, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 195-0 to pass HB 164, which outlaws possession of animal fighting paraphernalia. This includes adrenaline-boosting drugs and blood clotting agents, as well as equipment used to condition dogs for fights. HB 164 introduced by Representative Todd Stephens, passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously and the Senate June 30, 2015 and signed by Governor Wolf on July 10, 2015. This new law went into effect on September 10, 2015.
Humane Police Officer Frank Galbraith, and Manager of CCSPCA’s Animal Protective Services Division stated, “Pennsylvania has made it clear that animal fighting will not be tolerated! This new law makes it possible for law enforcement to crack down on the scourge of animal fighting.”
Chester County SPCA is one of the few open admission shelters in the state that is no kill. Their Animal Protective Services handles Animal Control for Chester and Delaware Counties and is currently serving on a temporary, emergency basis in Delaware State.
For more information about the Chester County SPCA, please visit www.ccspca.org.
