SPCA charges Philly woman for abandoning horse

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - December 1, 2011 (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia woman has been charged with animal cruelty after officials say she abandoned her malnourished horse in a vacant lot in the city.

A spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says tips from neighbors helped identify the animal's owner as 23-year-old Claritza Lopez-Fuentes.

The SPCA received a report about a horse grazing in a trash-strewn lot in north Philadelphia on Sunday. Humane officers say the animal was underweight and had a large, infected wound.

Lopez-Fuentes tells WTXF-TV that she cared for the horse briefly but didn't own it. She didn't know how it got loose.

SPCA spokeswoman Wendy Marano says the horse has been surrendered to the agency and is receiving veterinary care. SPCA officials are reviewing several offers to adopt the animal.

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spca, animals, animal rescue, philadelphia, pennsylvania, local/state

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