Yesterday, December 14, 2009, Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Sonny Black’s Pet Shop and Supplies on the 5500 block of N. 5 St. Sixteen dogs, including small and large breeds, one alligator, three snakes, four lizards and a guinea pig were rescued.
The officers’ investigation was prompted by complaints from people who had purchased sick puppies from the store. Earlier on the day of the raid, a Pennsylvania SPCA undercover agent purchased a puppy from Sonny Black’s Pet Shop and a search warrant was secured based on the prior complaints and the results of the puppy’s medical evaluation.
Inside the shop, officers found animals living in unsanitary conditions. Other animals, which were dirty and flea-infested, were also found outside in a mud-filled backyard without food, water or shelter. All the animals were taken directly to the Pennsylvania SPCA for medical evaluation. They are in protective custody and are not available for adoption at this time.
Further investigation that night revealed that additional dogs were being kept at a property on the 2000 block of Tioga St. On the scene, officers rescued nine additional dogs that were being kept in violation of the Pennsylvania Anti-Cruelty Law. At that time, the suspect surrendered all the animals from the pet store and the property on Tioga St. to the Pennsylvania SPCA. The investigation is ongoing and charges against the shop’s owner are pending.
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Philadelphia, has been dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse and neglect, providing lifesaving care and treatment, and reducing pet-overpopulation through low-cost spay-and-
neuter clinics and public awareness initiatives. Through these efforts, the Pennsylvania SPCA
prevents cruelty toward animals and promotes respect for their welfare, thus enhancing the lives of people and their companion animals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania SPCA operates adoption centers in Wellsboro, Centre Hall, Danville and Montrose, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia headquarters, located at 350 E. Erie Ave., houses a full-service animal hospital, obedience training academy, adoption facility, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Law Enforcement Department. Philadelphia’s Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT), powered by the Pennsylvania SPCA , is contracted by the city to perform animal control, as well as finding homes for Philadelphia's thousands of stray and surrendered animals via rescue, foster care, and adoption. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call 215.426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
