MSPCA-Angell Press Release

MSPCA Filing Charges, Thomas J. O’Connor Rescues, Cares for Pit Bulls

August 11, 2010

Eleven Pit Bulls receiving critical care as result of 24-hour investigation

Tiny (above), at seven pounds, was the smallest  of eight Pit Bull puppies rescued following allegations of animal cruelty at a Springfield residence. The MSPCA Law Enforcement department will be filing charges of animal cruelty. Pictured below are Bitty, Teeny, Itty, and Tiny.

Springfield’s Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center is caring for eleven, severely emaciated Pit Bull dogs following a rescue operation that quickly turned into an MSPCA investigation. The MSPCA will be filing charges of animal cruelty following a 24-hour investigation that uncovered the most malnourished victims at a Springfield residence Tuesday afternoon. The Pit Bulls, many of which are puppies between 20-30% of their normal bodyweight, are currently receiving critical care at the adoption center.

Animal Control Officers from Thomas J. O’Connor were first alerted to the animals’ conditions Monday afternoon. After arriving at an Embury Street residence the officers quickly rounded up two adult Pit Bulls and four puppies that were running loose. The dogs were later surrendered by the owner to the adoption center as well as a third adult dog that had been inside the residence when officers first arrived. The MSPCA’s Law Enforcement department was immediately alerted to the condition of the seven animals. Further investigation into the Embury Street allegations on Tuesday led to the discovery of four additional Pit Bull puppies that were severely malnourished, weighing the least of all of the dogs.

“The health of these animals is extremely fragile at this point,” said Pam Peebles, Director of the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. “We estimate the puppies to be six-months-old, however due to the malnourishment that they suffered, they look much younger. The weights of the puppies range from seven to twelve pounds. At their age they should weigh 30-40 pounds. The extent of malnourishment is serious and severely affects the health of the puppies and adult dogs. We hope to have them all stabilized within the next few days to weeks, however their conditions could worsen as a result of sustained neglect. Now that we have ownership of all of the dogs from the residence we will work to treat, rehabilitate, and evaluate them daily.”

Three puppies (above) eat their first meal in seconds after being evaluated at the adoption center. An emaciated adult female Pit Bull (above) was also rescued and is recuperating from severe starvation. Teeny and Tiny (below) await the next meal in their feeding regimen.

The dogs all suffer from extreme emaciation and will require feeding regimens that can last from several weeks for the larger canines to months for the tiniest victims. It has been reported that two of the starved, adult dogs attacked and killed a Chihuahua while loose, searching for food. These dogs are being held for behavior and medical evaluation as well to determine if their actions were the result of searching out a food source following extreme starvation.

”This is one of the most severe acts of neglect that I have ever investigated,” said veteran MSPCA Law Enforcement Officer Christine Allenberg. “This form of cruelty is slow and torturous and can result in death even after treatment is provided. The extent of the damage done to these dogs will be uncovered if and when they recover. However, we are grateful for the staff at Thomas J. O’Connor for the quick work that they did to rescue these animals from unimaginable pain and suffering.”

Animal cruelty is a felony in Massachusetts punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Members of the community with information regarding acts of animal cruelty are asked to contact the MSPCA’s Law Enforcement department at (800) 628-5808. Click here to donate to the statewide MSPCA Law Enforcement department.