A disturbing discovery in a North Philadelphia neighborhood has sparked an investigation into possible animal cruelty.
Officers with the Pennsylvania SPCA removed three horses and one dead pony from an illegal stable in the area of N. 11th Street in the city's Kensington neighborhood.
Investigators say the illegal stable was under investigation for several weeks. According to the PSPCA, the owner of the property was allegedly renting out stall space to a number of people.
Investigators say the horses were kept in a series of "ramschakle" structures.
Earlier this year, the PSPCA says it rescued two emaciated horses and two dead horses from the same lot.
The PSPCA says despite being ordered to cease operations, the horses remained at the stable and the owner allegedly brought in more horses.
The PSPCA says it obtained a search warrant to remove the remaining horses.
Horse owner, William Benjamin, tells FOX 29's Dave Schratwieser he was at the stable Monday night and says the pony appeared to be fine.
"I lost my pony, I got to explain that to my son, now I'm losing my horses," Benjamin told FOX 29.
An autopsy is scheduled to be performed on the dead pony.
The PSPCA says charges could then be filed depending on the results.
In addition, all of the horses will be examined by a veterinarian. PSPCA officials will then review the results to determine if other charges will be filed.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
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Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
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Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:54 AM EDT2013-05-24 09:54:05 GMT
Not the prettiest Friday, but we're ready for a great weekend. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. After an early high in the upper sixties, temperatures fall & winds pick up out of the chillier northwest. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks sunny and cool with highs in the low to mid 60s on Saturday, in the 70s Sunday & Monday. Cooler temps at the shore.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:27:11 GMT
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:10:26 GMT
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
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Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:43 GMT
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again. When Joseph Blaisse was looking for his final Eagle Scout project he thought of
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
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