Lancaster County district attorney's office, state police launch investigation into Libre animal cruelty case

The southern Lancaster County farmer whose puppy, Libre, has drawn national attention amid accusations of abuse and neglect isn't off the hook just yet.

The Lancaster County district attorney's office is working with state police to investigate claims that the puppy was left to die in a pen on a farm near Quarryville.

The dog, according to both its rescuer and a treating veterinarian, was emaciated, dehydrated, stricken with demodectic mange and suffering from maggot-filled sores. The puppy was close to death when taken from the farm on July 4, according to Dr. Ivan Pryor, who has been treating Libre at Dillsburg Veterinary Center for several weeks.

Susan Martin, executive director of the Lancaster County SPCA and an animal cruelty officer for the county, decided not to press charges against the breeder. She said she visited the farm a few days after Libre's rescue and found no evidence of abuse or neglect, and she disputed claims there were maggots in his wounds.

Martin's decision led to widespread calls for her resignation. The board of directors of the SPCA issued a statement supporting her decision.

Brett Hambright, a spokesman for District Attorney Craig Stedman, said Wednesday the district attorney's office and state police are cooperating on a separate investigation to determine if charges are warranted.

He did not say how soon the investigation is expected to conclude.