Discovery of maimed kitten leads to rescue of 38 more animals from deplorable conditions in Coatesville

COATESVILLE, Pa. - A Coatesville resident is facing a slew of charges in connection with what the Brandywine Valley SPCA is calling a heinous case of animal abuse and neglect.

It all started when they got a call for help for a stray dog and someone approached them with a tiny maimed kitten, asking for help.

"She was wrapped in duct tape and was missing her front leg and we’re not sure what happened," Sara Smith, with the BVSPCA, stated.

The 5-week-old kitten, now named Roo, was in extremely bad shape when she was handed over to Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement last week. The one-and-a-half-pound kitten was rushed to the BVSPCA’s West Chester facility for emergency treatment.

"She was running a fever," Smith explained. "She had, you know, her wound exposed and just needed care immediately. Our vet was able to do lifesaving surgery and she pulled through it, which was a miracle in itself."

(Brandywine Valley SPCA)

"The thought of what this tiny kitten has endured is heartbreaking," said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA’s Chief Executive Officer. "It is truly a miracle she survived this horrific trauma and neglect, and we are committed to providing her with the medical attention and care she needs to heal both physically and emotionally."

The BVSPCA says when its Animal Protective Service officers returned to the home the next day with Coatesville police to arrest the owner, they found dozens more animals living in deplorable conditions.

"36 cats," Smith said. "There was a deceased kitten. Some of them have eye infections. Some of them have upper respiratory infections."

There was also a rabbit, a turtle and dog named Gucci, who BVSPCA volunteer Cheryl Moore is fostering.

"He’s very scared. Very scared of loud noises, so it’s just letting him decompress and letting him settle in," Moore explained. "Some of the cats have already found homes. Others are up for adoption and still other kittens are waiting to be medically cleared before they are able to find their forever homes."

"If they want to help in another way, they can make a donation," Smith added. "There’s a lot of cost involved in all of this and we really appreciate the community rallying to support Roo and all of these survivors."

As for little Roo, she’s doing amazingly well. While not out of the woods, yet, she is getting stronger every day and being nursed back to health in a loving foster home.

"She's our little heroine. If it wasn't for Roo, who knows what would have kept going on inside that house," Smith said. "Now these animals are going to be in a better place and they’re going to have nice, warm, healthy homes. It’s just a better life for them."

The suspect has been charged with one felony count of aggravated cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty and neglect in Roo’s case. Dozens more charges are pending related to the rest of the animals found.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to help Roo and the other animals or for anyone looking for volunteer opportunities can find more information on the Brandywine Valley SPCA website.