Starving dogs removed from Southwest Phila. house

PHILADELPHIA - August 30, 2012 (WPVI) -- SPCA law enforcement removed several emaciated dogs from a house in Southwest Philadelphia Thursday.

Police arrested 49-year-old James I. Gilliard, who is the owner of the home in the 1900 block of South Redfield Street. He is being charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty.

Police say five dogs, three female and two male pit bull type dogs, were found in various parts of the house, some of them near death.

Despite medical intervention, one of the female dogs died shortly after being removed by officers.

"We've seen a lot of skinny dogs, but these were among the worst," said George Bengal, Director of Humane Law Enforcement at the Pennsylvania SPCA. "Several of them could not even lift their heads or walk on their own."

The remaining animals are in the care of the Pennsylvania SPCA where they are receiving intensive veterinary treatment.

Police say Gilliard had an outstanding bench warrant for a previous aggravated assault.

He remains in police custody.

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spca, animal abuse, dogs, animal rescue, southwest philadelphia, philadelphia, local/state

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