JODI SPIEGEL ARTHUR
Charges are expected to be filed later this week against the owner of 52 goats, 80 chickens and five turkeys removed by Bucks County SPCA humane police officers from a property on Durham Road in Pipersville, the society said Tuesday.
The animals, which were being kept in “extremely unsanitary and overcrowded conditions with inadequate access to food,” according to the SPCA, were seized July 18.
“Some of the goats appear to be underweight and show signs of external parasites. All of the animals were kept in small overcrowded enclosures. Manure pack was so deep in one area that the three goats standing on the pile were taller than my head,” reported BCSPCA Chief Humane Police Officer Nikki Thompson.
She said the heat at the time served to exacerbate problems in such poor conditions.
“Goats are ruminants and need to graze throughout the day. All animals need to have food and enough room to move freely,” Thompson said.
The animals were transported to the Bucks County SPCA’s Quakertown property, which has “a roomy barn and multiple pastures,” the SPCA said. There, they received daily food and clean water, and were examined by a large animal veterinarian.
“The animals seem happier already and noticeably improved,” Cindy Kelly, Bucks County SPCA’s director of communications, said Tuesday. “The goats are fast at work mowing down our pastures and enjoying the play structures. They have protection from the sun and rain, and plenty to eat and drink.
“All of the animals continue to receive medical treatment for external parasites and other issues. The chickens have been separated into groups, since some were showing signs of being picked on by the more dominant birds.”
Last week, BCSPCA Executive Director Linda Reider asked for financial donations to help support “the considerable cost required of properly caring for so many animals, especially since we are still housing the majority of the cats from the Doylestown hoarder case in May.”
Kelly said Tuesday the society was thankful for the financial donations received in response to the new case so far.
“Donations to BCSPCA’s Animal Relief Fund help provide for hay, extra staffing, medicine and the services of several large animal veterinarians, which has already passed $3,000,” she said.
So far this year, the Bucks SPCA has rescued 508 animals from cruelty and neglect – compared to about 200 animals in all of 2018, Kelly said, adding “We’re on a record-breaking pace this year.”
Even before the addition of the goats, chickens and turkeys, the shelter’s two facilities were at maximum capacity with 385 animals in their care.
The SPCA said the community can help make more room and free up resources for new arrivals by adopting pets that are currently available. All adult cats 6 months and older are available for a donation of choice through Aug. 31, and all barn cat adoptions are fee-waived.
These special offers are good at the Lahaska and Quakertown shelters, and through the BCSPCA’s off-site locations, including the PetSmart store in Newtown.
Donations can be made at
bcspca.org, 215-794-7425, or by visiting the shelters in Lahaska and Quakertown, open seven days a week at noon.
If you see or know of any animal being neglected or abused in Bucks County, call the BCSPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at 215-794-7425. Tips can be left anonymously 24 hours a day. Watch the BCSPCA website and social media feeds for updates on the animals:
bcspca.org;
facebook.com/BucksCoSPCA;
instagram.com/buckscountyspca/.
