The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) announced on Friday that after following up on numerous leads, its officers have identified the pair of suspects wanted in connection to a vicious Philadelphia dog attack on a family cat.
The two suspects have since surrendered to authorities, the Pennsylvania SPCA said on social media Friday evening. Both of the juvenile suspects have been taken into police custody and are pending a custodial determination hearing. One of the individuals is 17-years-old, while the second suspect is 12 years of age.
Both of the suspects have been taken into custody and are pending a custodial determination hearing. Both suspects are juveniles.
— Pennsylvania SPCA (@PSPCA) March 25, 2022
One individual is 17-years-old, while the second one is 12 years of age.
The current charges filed against the suspects include felony animal fighting, felony aggravated animal cruelty, and a conspiracy charge. CBS Philadelphia said the former charges could result in up to seven years behind bars. The crimes do not fall under offenses that permit juveniles to be charged as adults.
The suspects came into the Pennsylvania SPCA with a parent to address the charges around 12:00 pm Friday, according to the organization.
The dogs involved in the incident have also been taken into the custody of the Pennsylvania SPCA and have been placed on hold over the investigation.
Buddy, the cat injured in the brutal attack earlier in the weekend and a 7-year-old stray pet that a family decided to take in, remains in critical condition.
However, "his prognosis is hopeful," the Pennsylvania SPCA reported in the detailed Twitter thread also providing an update on his condition.
The current charges filed include felony animal fighting, felony aggravated animal cruelty and a conspiracy charge. These crimes do not fall under offenses which permit juveniles to be charged as adults.
— Pennsylvania SPCA (@PSPCA) March 25, 2022
Buddy remains in critical condition, but his prognosis is hopeful. ??
The suspects who were captured on surveillance video Tuesday unleashing the two dogs on Buddy in the Frankford section of the city and appearing to encourage the unprovoked brutality.
"It was a prolonged attack. It took a number of minutes and it was completely unnecessary. None of this had to happen," director of humane law enforcement and shelter operations Nicole Wilson said, per CBS.
Authorities launched an investigation into the case of animal abuse that left Buddy with life-threatening injuries. There is extensive damage to Buddy's hind abdominal region, Wilson said, noting that officials were trying to sew the wounded cat "back together" and are "hoping for the best" in the coming days.
BUDDY UPDATE: Last night, Buddy was sent to an ER vet to be closely monitored. He made it through the night. He continues to be in extremely critical condition.
— Pennsylvania SPCA (@PSPCA) March 23, 2022
We are (very) cautiously optimistic.
To donate toward his medical care: https://t.co/KD0Gk6YsjS or venmo @pspca pic.twitter.com/bdvcL5bZsq
Following the mauling, the Pennsylvania SPCA issued a plea for the public's help in finding the culprits responsible for the violent animal cruelty caught on camera.
"This act of cruelty is especially heinous for its apparent intentional nature. An innocent animal simply sitting on a porch may lose its life for absolutely no reason. Animals are beloved members of our family, and should be treated as such," Pennsylvania SPCA's chief executive officer Julie Klim told Philly Voice.
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