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A Lower Moyamensing home was raided with a variety of animals including an alligator and roosters being recovered Tuesday afternoon.
Police discovered a severe case of animal hoarding when officers were summoned to the 900 block of Shunk Street for a naked man who was allegedly locked out of his residence, Pennsylvania Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokeswoman Wendy Marano said. Officers noticed some dead animals on the premises and alerted the society, which secured a search warrant for the property. After a few hours, Humane Law Enforcement officers located 25 animals inside the home — 14 of which were deceased. The animals consisted of dogs, a cat, turtles, a tarantula, two iguanas, roosters and a four-foot-long alligator.
The alligator, which was living in a small tank with briny water, later died due to the living conditions, Marano said. The remaining live animals are in protective custody as evidence for the case.
The homeowner, whose name has not yet been released, was transported to the hospital for undisclosed reasons and will be charged with animal cruelty upon his release, Marano said.
While reporting at the scene for Monday’s evening news broadcast, Fox 29’s Chris O’Connell was attacked by a man who is believed to be the homeowner’s son. No charges were filed as of press time.
“Thanks for all the thoughts on the incident tonight. Photog Dave Edwards and I are OK. Never a dull moment in TV news,” O’Connell tweeted afterward.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
Also in this week’s Police Report:
Confronting police
Mane attraction
Dead at the wheel
One killed, two wounded
Teen enters guilty plea
Serial robber on the loose
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