Warminster Man Drowned His Dog, Charged With Animal Cruelty: Police

WARMINSTER, PA — A 28-year-old township man has been charged with animal cruelty after police said he drowned his dog last month.

According to Warminster Police, the incident was reported the night of May 16. Police said they were called to the 600 block of East Street Road for a wellness check on Matthew Spanburgh after it was reported that he may have killed his dog and may also kill himself.

When police officers arrived, they spoke with Spanburgh, who said he killed his Belgian Shepard by drowning the dog. Spanburgh led police to the bedroom, where they found the dead dog.

Warminster Police obtained a search warrant of the home and recovered the dog.

Working with the Warminster animal control officer and Bucks County SPCA, police issued an arrest warrant for Spanburgh.

He was arraigned before District Justice Christopher O'Neill, and was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $300,000.00 for the animal charges and an additional 10 percent of $30,000 on charges stemming from another incident that police did not reveal.