PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An individual is facing a slew of animal neglect and cruelty charges after police found dozens of sick and injured animals living in squalor inside a Coatesville home.
Authorities responded to a call about a stray dog in Coatesville last week. Brandywine Valley SPCA Humane Law Enforcement was then approached by a person who handed over a 1 ½-pound kitten, about 4 to 6 weeks old, wrapped in duct tape with a traumatic amputation to her front leg.
"Our officer took the kitten and rushed it to our West Chester Campus, where our vet there was able to stabilize this poor little kitten," said Sara Smith, senior director of marketing and communications at BVSPCA.
A search warrant was obtained for the home of the person who turned over the kitten. With the help of Coatesville police, humane officers entered the home and found about three dozen cats and kittens, a dog, a rabbit, and a turtle. In all, 38 animals were rescued.
Many of them had eye infections, untreated wounds, and upper respiratory infections.
The duct-taped kitten, now named Roo, had surgery on her leg to remove dead tissue and bone. Smith said Roo is doing well and being nursed to health by a foster family.
"She is purring and meowing and getting the medication that she needs and really is a sweetheart,” she said.
The other animals are getting treatment, and as soon as they get a medical clearance, they'll be up for adoption.
The investigation into the animal cruelty and neglect case is ongoing. The defendant is expected to face additional charges.