Officers bust dog fight in progress, rescue 4 dogs and arrest 14 in South Philly

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Police are investigating following the discovery of a violent dog-fighting ring in South Philadelphia.

When PSPCA's Humane Law Enforcement team and Philadelphia police arrived to the 1200 block of South 35th Street on Saturday, they had to break up a fight in progress. Fourteen individuals were arrested.

Officers also recovered two firearms, a large amount of cash and a wooden fighting ring with blood spatter from the scene.

The two pitbull type dogs actively fighting were transported to the PSPCA's Erie Avenue headquarters, where they were immediately rushed to the shelter hospital to begin the long road to recovery.

Both dogs are in stable condition and will remain under the custody of the PSPCA until they are signed over by their owners, or the adjudication of their court case. Dog fighting crimes hold a felony charge.

Early Sunday morning, an additional search warrant was executed on a suspect's vehicle. There, officers found another dog wearing a weighted collar consistent with dog fighting, which was taken into custody.

While on location, another dog was recovered from a vehicle. The dog appeared ill and was taken to the shelter for medical assessment and treatment.

"Cases like this remind us that while we may not always hear about it, dog fighting is still happening in the city of Philadelphia," said Nicole Wilson, Director of the Humane Law Enforcement at the PSPCA. "Our team has boots on the ground 365 days a year, investigating cases like this, and working to bring those involved to justice."

Anyone with information about this case, the whereabouts of those involved, or other cases of animal cruelty, is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA's Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.