George Bengal, the PSPCA's director of humane law enforcement who helped Philadelphia and surrounding cities fight animal abuse for decades, has died at the age of 69.
Bengal passed away Saturday at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania with his wife and daughter at his bedside.
Bengal first began his career with the Philadelphia Police Department after serving in the Vietnam War. Bengal became a Humane Law Enforcement leader, fighting animal cruelty for 20 years. Bengal then built Humane Law Enforcement operations at several animal organizations in the area, including the Delaware County SPCA and the Pennsylvania SPCA. He also became the PSPCA Director of Humane Law Enforcement in 2007.
“George Bengal was an icon, a fierce warrior against animal cruelty, and a street smart cop who led by example. The animals have lost their best friend and we have lost a most special colleague. His officers didn’t work under him. They worked next to him,” said Jerry Buckley, CEO of the PSPCA. “We always knew George was courageous in his work. But the way he faced his own death took courage to a new level.”
In 2016 Bengal was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that affected the membrane lining of his abdomen. Last month, knowing he had little time left, Bengal had one last request for the community he served, that they continue to support the SPCA, which runs only on donations.
"I just want to see this work desperately carried on," Bengal said.
Bengal's supporters created a #ThankYouGeorge hashtag on Twitter in which hundreds of people thanked him for his dedication to ending animal cruelty.
“I never thought that I would have a following like this, and I’d like to see it put to good use,” Bengal said. “This is not about one single person. It’s about carrying the program forward. We’ve all put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make the program what it is. I’ll be gone. We have capable people who can step up. I want to see the public and government support this program. If we didn’t do this anymore, there’s nobody to fill the void.”
The PSPCA created the Bengal Fund to End Animal Cruelty in his memory with all donations going towards Humane Law Enforcement.
“We are doing whatever we can to honor everything that George has taught us,” said Sergeant Nicole Wilson. “This department was his brainchild. Through sheer will, he’s kept us performing at as high a level as possible. We continue to do our best to make him proud of what we do, and to put his name on it. Very few people are irreplaceable, but George is irreplaceable. We hope to continue his legacy.”
Bengal is survived by his wife, two daughters and a grandson.
Photo Credit: Pennsylvania SPCA
