Dog Left Outside Overnight Freezes To Death

Officers with the Pennsylvania SPCA say they are investigating a home where a dog was left outside and froze to death overnight.

According to the PSPCA, officers executed a search warrant Sunday for a home on the 3000 block of North Water Street in Philadelphia's Kensington section.

FOX 29's Chris O'Connell reports the dog was left outside in 17 degree weather overnight. PSPCA officers removed the animal but say the residents of the home were nowhere to be found.

PSPCA officers raided another abandoned home just a few houses away.

"The whole house is filled with feces, trash inside, furniture turned over, it's a total mess inside," George Bengal of the PSPCA said.

Officers removed two dogs, a tiny Chihuahua mix and a Pit Bull. Officers say they also found a weighted dog collar used in dog fighting training. Officers say the heavy collar will be carried around for extended periods of time to build strength in a dog for dog fighting.

Neighbors in the area say they've complained about the smell, but had no idea dogs were living in such horrible conditions and in bitter cold weather.

PSPCA officers are now working to track down the owners where the dogs were found. The owners could face animal cruelty charges.

Members of the SPCA urge pet owners to bring their pets inside during extreme winter weather.