Animal cruelty officer featured on 2 reality TV shows dies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania animal cruelty officer who starred in two reality TV shows has died.

George Bengal, the law enforcement director of Pennsylvania's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was 69. The PSPCA says he had a rare type of cancer and died Saturday at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Jekintown.

His work was profiled on "Animal Cops Philadelphia" on Animal Planet from 2008 to 2009, and on National Geographic's "Philly Undercover" in 2012.

Jerry Buckley, CEO of the organization, says Bengal was "a fierce warrior against animal cruelty, and a street smart cop who led by example."

Bengal was a Philadelphia police officer before spending 20 years advocating for animals. Buckley says Bengal saved "thousands of animals, brought hundreds of criminals to justice" and was "the voice for the voiceless."

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