Litter of puppies found abandoned in Center City is second in last several months

Another litter of abandoned puppies discovered in Philly

The Pennsylvania SPCA is investigating after a second litter of puppies was abandoned near North Bread and Arch streets in Old City on Saturday, April 18, according to the organization. This follows a similar case in December, when six puppies were left at a nearby parking garage.

PHILADELPHIA - A litter of puppies was discovered abandoned in Center City over the weekend, the second found in the last four months. Animal welfare officials are calling it a "deeply troubling" pattern.

Abandoned puppies found in Center City

What we know:

Animal welfare officials were called out to the area of North Bread and Arch streets in Center City on Saturday, April 18, after someone reported the abandoned pups.

Pennsylvania SPCA officers found seven puppies at the scene. Six puppies are unaccounted for.

SUGGESTED: As marijuana use widens, vets are treating more pets for cannabis poisoning

Animal cruelty investigation

What you can do:

The PSPCA is investigating the incident as a case of animal cruelty and asked anyone who might have taken one of the abandoned puppies to come forward.

"Their safe return is critical," the group wrote in a press release. "Both for the integrity of the investigation and for the health and welfare of the animals themselves. Puppies of this age require specialized care to survive."

A ‘deeply troubling’ pattern

Dig deeper:

The litter found on Saturday was dumped just blocks away from where another group of puppies was found the day after Christmas.

On Dec. 26, PSPCA officers found six puppies between three and four weeks old in a parking garage at North Bread and Cherry streets. Those puppies have since been adopted.

Gillian Kocher from the Pennsylvania SPCA said, "Somebody has to know something about this. This is now 2 litters of puppies dumped in the same general vicinity. They look too similar. Everything seems too close for them not to be connected." 

What they're saying:

PSPCA officials said the two litters found just two blocks apart over such a short span is troubling.

"Seeing a pattern of abandoned litters discovered so close together is deeply troubling," PSPCA CEO Julie Kim said. "These puppies were left defenseless and completely dependent on the kindness of strangers to survive."

Witnesses reported as many as 13 puppies at the scene, but only seven were found when the Pennsylvania SPCA arrived. 

"So, we are still looking for the rest of them, that is why we want to spread the word. They're vulnerable at this stage and they may need some specialized care. We're urging them to bring them to us at 350 E. Erie Ave, so we can make sure they are taken care of," said Kocher.

The puppies have been given bread-related names like Croissant and Baguette since they were found on Bread Street. 

What you can do:

The Pennsylvania SPCA has already received calls from people interested in adopting them, but the puppies will not be ready for adoption for at least 4 to 5 weeks.

Officials asked anyone with information about either litter to contact them at 215-426-6300 or on their website pspca.org.