Unlicensed pet store raided; 28 dogs seized

An unlicensed pet store in North Philadelphia was raided by authorities tonight and 28 dogs housed in excrement-covered cages in a back room were seized.

The dogs, mainly pit bull mixes, were being sold for as much as $1,000, said George Bengal, director of law enforcement for the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Brickyard Pet Supply at 2208 Cecil B. Moore Avenue was shut down and a man and woman described as the owners were arrested by police.

Investigators were trying to determine who was supplying the dogs and whether the store was connected to dogfighting.

A PSPCA officer made a $400 undercover purchase earlier today of a pit bull mix from the store. The dog's ears had infections from being cropped, apparently by someone not authorized to perform such a procedure, Bengal said

The dogs - some bred at the store - were "very sick" from being kept in unsanitary conditions, Bengal said. "They were just covered in feces and urine. It was a mess," he said.

Also participating in the raid were four state dog wardens, who oversee kennel licensing, and Philadelphia police. Bengal said the team planned to execute two more warrants tonight related to the pet store.

The man and woman declined to comment. They were arrested because the dog that was purchased was illegally disfigured, Bengal said. Their names were not immediately released.

The woman expressed shock at being arrested and repeatedly howled "Oh my God!" as she sat handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser.