FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2015
Chester County SPCA
PHONE: 610-692-6113
www.ccspca.org

CONTACT: Micaela Malloy

PHONE: 610-692-6113 x229
mmalloy@ccspca.org

Family Pet Attacked & Killed After Animal Control Asks Homeowner to Hold Stray Dogs
Animal control officer asks resident to hold stray dogs to avoid fees, ends in tragedy
WEST CHESTER (September 8) - The Chester County SPCA (CCSPCA) is working with officials from
Darby Borough, Delaware County, to investigate an incident where an owned dog was attacked and
killed by two stray dogs after the finder was asked to hold the stray animals by animal control
officers.
On Thursday, September 3rd at approximately 10:00pm, a male Rottweiler type dog was found
wandering in Darby Borough by relatives of the owner of the dog who was later killed, borough
resident Neomia Green. The stray dog was taken to Green's house and she called police to inform
them that she was willing to hold the dog but wanted to report it in case someone was looking for
him.
Darby Borough Police responded to Green's residence and explained that the dog would have to be
taken in as a stray but she would have the opportunity to adopt him if he was not claimed by an
owner after seventy-two hours. The police officer then called Delaware County Animal Control to
report the stray dog.
When animal control officers arrived on scene, Green explained that she would be interested in
adopting the dog if the owner could not be located. At this time, another Rottweiler type dog was
found in the area and transported to Green's residence.
The animal control officer told Green that she could keep the first Rottweiler at her house as long as
she could hold both dogs because they appeared to be together and it was against the policy to be
separated. Green stated that she also heard the animal control officer tell Darby Borough Police that
it would be better for the dogs to be held at her residence because it would save the municipality
$500.

The CCSPCA is contracted with the Delaware County Animal Protection Board to serve as the State
approved and licensed stray dog boarding facility for municipalities in Delaware County.
Pennsylvania State Dog Law requires that stray dogs be transported to an approved and licensed
boarding facility after being picked up by police officers or police officers.
According to Green, she took the dogs into her home because Delaware County Animal Control
instructed her to do so. She provided them with food and water to keep them away from her small,
10-year old Pekinese type dog named Louie, who is also blind. At approximately 12:00am, Green's
granddaughter entered the basement to walk the dogs when the larger of the two Rottweiler's
pushed past her, broke the basement door, and went after Green's dog.
Green stated that both of the stray dogs began attacking her dog at this time. She explained that she
was able to remove the smaller Rottweiler by using his collar to put him in a different room, but
could not remove the larger Rottweiler and was knocked over by the dog when attempting to save
Louie inside of her home.
Green's granddaughter called Darby Borough Police to report the attack. When police arrived on
scene, the family explained that the larger Rottweiler killed Green's dog and was still loose in the
house, guarding the Louies body. Darby Borough Police called Delaware County Animal Control to
report the incident and the family waited outside nearly two hours for the animal control officers to
arrive. During this time, Green could see the stray dog lying on top of Louie through the window.
While waiting for Delaware County Animal Control to arrive, Green received a call from the animal
control officer she had spoken with prior and was advised to release the dogs outside since they do
not belong to her. Green stated that she handed the phone to Darby Borough Police Officers at this
time. When the animal control officer arrived on scene, she stated that there was nowhere to put
the dogs and asked Green if she was still willing to hold the stray dogs in her home. Green
requested that the stray dogs be removed from her as soon as possible and the animal control
officer stated that they would be moved to a fenced area.
CCSPCA officials picked up both stray dogs were from the Darby Borough Police Station on Friday,
September 4th and transported to the shelter facility in West Chester while the circumstances
surrounding the death of Green's dog were investigated.
The shelter has remained in contact with Darby Borough administration throughout the
investigation and officials from the Darby Borough Police Department have stated that the safety of
their residents is always their top priority. The stray dogs have since been reclaimed and their
owner was cited for having dangerous dogs by the Darby Borough Police Department. The borough
has also contracted with the CCSPCA to provide animal control services to their municipality in light
of this incident.
CCSPCAs Animal Protective Services department has sent the results of their investigation to the
states Dog Law Enforcement Bureau to address the dog law violations. The shelter has voiced
concerns about the care and treatment of stray animals in Delaware County in the past and recently
submitted a formal complaint about Delaware County Animal Control to the Dog Law Enforcement
Bureau concerning their handling of stray animals.

The Chester County SPCA is committed to bringing continuity to the care and treatment of stray
animals in Delaware County, said Adam Lamb, Executive Director. The organization requested to
meet with Delaware County Council and the countys Animal Protection Board after the death of
stray dog held in a hot animal control van last week.
###
Founded in 1929, the Chester County SPCA is the first open admission shelter in Pennsylvania to
achieve No Kill status and serves as the only open admission shelter in both Chester and Delaware
Counties. Its mission is to put the human back in humane animal treatment and advocate on their
behalf. Each year, the CCSPCA cares for nearly 5,000 stray, owner-surrendered, wayward owned,
and abused and neglected animals. For more information, please visit www.ccspca.org.