PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania SPCA said their Animal Law Enforcement team has shut down a basement dog ear-cropping and tail-docking operation where at least 14 dogs were mutilated.
The team rescued a total of 12 puppies from two houses, with the puppies needing desperate after-care following the cosmetic procedures that are done to make a dog's ears pointed and to shorten a dog's tail. In Pennsylvania, only a veterinarian is allowed to perform the procedures.
The PSPCA investigation started on Feb. 8. They said a pair of 8-week-old cane corso-type puppies were abandoned at BluePearl Emergency Hospital in critical condition. According to the organization, veterinarians discovered the puppies' ears cropped and tails docked, with infected tails and ears.
Both puppies went into septic shock, with one puppy suffering cardiac arrest before being saved, the PSPCA said.
Fred, a cane corso whose ears were mutilated before being abandoned at an emergency veterinary hospital.Pennsylvania SPCA
The organization said that after search warrants were issued, team members on Feb. 16 seized seven cane corso puppies from a property on Princeton Avenue in Tacony, while rescuing five pitbull mixes from a house near the corner of B Street and Wyoming Avenue in the city's Feltonville section.
Many of the dogs were found with red, crusted ears, scabbed tails and in lethargic states.
One puppy died after the procedure, the PSPCA said.
Officials say the breeder at the property in Tacony allegedly paid another person in Feltonville to perform the illegal procedures.
"We are looking at felony and misdemeanor charges in these cases, [falling] under animal mutilation and related offenses," said PSPCA Director of Public Relations & Marketing Gillian Kocher.
"It's a horrific practice that still goes on today and is being done in Philadelphia basements."
She said that if dog owners must have the procedure done, they should use a veterinarian's office where medications and treatments are offered to avoid infections.
The two pups abandoned on Feb. 8, now named Fred and Ethel, and a bulldog from the Fentonville home have been signed over to the PSPCA, where after they feel a little better, they will be placed into foster care while awaiting adoption.
The other 11 dogs remain in the custody of the PSPCA until court cases are adjudicated, or they are signed over by their owners.
Many of the cane corso pups remain hospitalized.
The PSPCA says that anyone with information about these cases, or any other animal cruelty case, should call their Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. People can leave anonymous tips.
