Roxborough Man Charged With Animal Cruelty

A Roxborough man has been charged with animal cruelty after authorities say nine dogs were found living in “filthy” conditions in his Ripka Street rowhome.

Ian Spedding, of the 400 block of Ripka Street, has been charged by the Pennsylvania SPCA with nine summary counts of animal cruelty following the execution of a search warrant at his residence on Feb. 27, the SPCA said.

PSPCA Humane Officers rescued the nine Chihuahuas that were living in unsanitary conditions, according to authorities from the SPCA.

The dogs were taken to the PSPCA’s headquarters on Erie Avenue in North Philadelphia for medical assessment.

Five of the dogs will be available for adoption at the PSPCA’s North Philadelphia adoption center and at its adoption locations in several Pets Plus Natural stores.

“The Pennsylvania SPCA is committed to fighting animal cruelty and we are pleased to move this case forward,” said Jerry Buckley, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. “We look forward to working with the District Attorney’s office to prosecute this case.”

To report animal abuse, all the Pennsylvania SPCA’s cruelty hotline at 1-866-601-SPCA.

(Photos: Pennsylvania SPCA)