A neighbor made a phone call on August 26. That call started everything.
Two months later, the owners of a severely starved dog in Millersville Borough are facing criminal charges in Lancaster County.
What Police Found on Briargate Court
Millersville Borough Police received a report at approximately 6:41 p.m. on August 26 about a dog possibly being starved at a home on Briargate Court.
When officers arrived, they met Christina Parke, 36, one of the dog’s owners. They observed a brown and white boxer-type dog that was severely underweight, though it was still able to move without assistance.
What Happened When Officers Asked for the Dog
Officers presented Parke with a voluntary animal surrender form. She declined.
As Local21News reported on the Lancaster County animal cruelty case, officers returned the following day, August 27, accompanied by sheriff’s deputies and a Lieutenant with the Pennsylvania SPCA division, and conducted a lawful search of the home. Both owners remained outside during the search.
The Charges
Following the investigation, both Parke and Jordan Tice, 45, the second owner, were arrested and charged with neglect of animals and cruelty to animals.
The arrests were announced on October 20, nearly two months after the initial call. Investigations involving animal cruelty often take time as authorities gather evidence and coordinate with organizations like the Pennsylvania SPCA before charges are filed.
Pennsylvania has seen some severe cases of animal neglect. Sally, a German Shepherd found near death in Carbon County, was described by rescue workers as the worst case they had ever seen. Both cases started with someone deciding the situation was bad enough to report.
When you see a dog that looks like it might be neglected, do you call it in or stay out of it? Tell me in the comments.
Why the Neighbor’s Call Matters
This dog was found because someone noticed and reported it. Not a shelter inspection. Not a routine welfare check. A neighbor saw something, decided it was worth a call, and that decision changed what happened next.
Dogs pulled from neglect situations often need significant time to recover. Loretta, rescued from neglect in Arizona, spent nearly a year in shelter care before she was ready for adoption. The dog on Briargate Court is now out of that home, which is where recovery begins.
Why This Matters
Under Pennsylvania’s Libre’s Law, neglect of animals starts as a summary offense and can escalate to a misdemeanor if the neglect causes bodily injury or places an animal at imminent risk. Aggravated cruelty causing serious injury or death is a third-degree felony. According to Humane World for Animals on animal cruelty facts, most animal cruelty cases are never reported, and those that are reported frequently go undetected for months before intervention.
The Millersville case is part of a broader pattern. Pierce County authorities removed 17 animals from an unlicensed rescue after finding dogs without food or water. In both cases, the animals were only reached because someone outside the situation took action.
This case moved because one person made a call.
Key Takeaways
- Millersville Borough Police received a report of a starving dog on Briargate Court on August 26, 2026.
- Officers found a brown and white boxer-type dog that was severely underweight.
- Owner Christina Parke, 36, declined to voluntarily surrender the dog.
- Officers returned August 27 with a lawful search, alongside sheriff’s deputies and a Pennsylvania SPCA Lieutenant.
- Both Parke and Jordan Tice, 45, were charged with neglect of animals and cruelty to animals.
The Dog Was Still Standing
Severely underweight, but still on its feet. The neighbor called before that changed.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Details are based on public reports and may change as the case develops.