Dozens Of Animals Rescued From 'Deplorable Conditions' In Chester County
COATESVILLE, Pa. (CBS) -- The Chester County SPCA raided the home of a Coatesville woman Tuesday afternoon and found nearly two dozen dogs living in what were described as deplorable conditions.
Richard Britton, a spokesman for the Chester County SPCA, says the group received a tip call about an elderly woman, Wynne Byers, who had animals that were living in inhumane conditions.
"Animal protective services officers found 22 small dogs, individually in cat cages, the smell of feces, urine in the room. Upon examination of these dogs, they had medical conditions, skin problems as well as flea infestation and many of them are very thin," said Britton after a search warrant was served Tuesday afternoon.
He says the dogs appear to be a wide range of ages and include Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Chiahuahuas, and Shih tzus.
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Britton says they also found and seized six cats.
"They're everything to me. I don't know why they are taking them away from me," Byers said. "They're the only reason I want to live."
All of the animals were taken to the Chester County animal shelter and will be cared for there pending disposition of an animal cruelty case against the homeowner.
The Chester County SPCA says anyone with more than 25 pets needs to have a kennel license.
Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio; Todd Quinones, CBS 3
