13 pit bulls removed from S. Philadelphia home

Animal welfare officials believe they have saved 13 dogs, many of them scarred, from either being trained for animal fighting or already forced into it at a base inside a South Philadelphia row home.

Police were called shortly after midnight to the 2200 block of Mifflin Street by a neighbor concerned about suspicious activity. Upon arrival, police could hear a number of dogs barking and called for backup as they began their investigation.

George Bengal, director of law enforcement for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), said his organization was also called by neighbors about what they believed was a dog fight in progress.

No one was home when they arrived. The PSPCA then received a search warrant. The warrant lists "cruelty to animals" as the violation.

"The place was a real mess," Bengal said "We removed eight pit bull puppies and five adult pit bulls, some of which were scarred from fighting."

Bengal said one of the adult dogs was missing an eye.

"What we saw is typical of fighting dogs," Bengal noted. "A lot of old scar wounds on the muzzle, leg and chest areas. We found training equipment and other fighting paraphernalia."

Among the equipment: treadmills.

"The dogs were taken to our [Erie Avenue] shelter," he said. "They are currently being examined by our veterinarian."

The PSPCA said in a statement this afternoon that the investigation is continuing and charges were still pending.

Neighbors said they hadn't seen past indications of dog fighting at the residence but called the morning raid disturbing.

Tekesha Johns said the news of the suspected dog fighting bust was especially concerning because of the number of children in the neighborhood.

"There's kids walking around here for school," she said, as children, some with guardians and others alone, walked down the block and a school bus drove past. "We need protection out here for these kids."

Kelly Ray, who was out walking his own dog, Butta, said treating the pups poorly is wrong.

"They're animals," he said. "God created them."