Kevin Spence, 56, found guilty of animal cruelty, Marquell Nelson, 22, pleaded guilty to the same charge

PENNSYLVANIA -- SUZIE AND DAISY, both pit bulls, are lucky to be alive after nearly being killed by their owners who were fined and barred from owning animals for 90 days following hearing in Municipal Court yesterday.

In his East Falls home, Kevin Spence, 56, kept Suzie in a collar so tight that authorities said "her skin had begun to grow around" it.

The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged Spence with animal neglect in August, took custody of Suzie, treated her wounds, and have since found her a new home.
 

 
Spence was found guilty of animal neglect yesterday.

Daisy, meanwhile, was taken by the PSPCA in July and found "underweight and suffering from untreated skin allergies," authorities said. Her owner, Marquell Nelson, 22, of Logan was charged with failure to provide veterinary care for her and pleaded guilty to the charges yesterday.



Both Spence and Nelson were fined $500 and $250 respectively, and prohibited from owning animals for 90 days.

"The Pennsylvania SPCA will not tolerate acts of cruelty against animals," said PSPCA CEO Jerry Buckley in a statement.

The PSPCA is still investigating the death of a pit bull found hanging in Logan last week. A $15,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with knowledge of the case should call PSPCA's cruelty hotline, 866-601-7722.

(Philly.com - Nov 15, 2015)