MEMORANDUM

CHRISTOPHER CONNER, District Judge

This is a § 1983 civil rights action brought by Robert Lee Allen ("Allen") against certain state actors arising from their search of his property, seizure of his farm animals, and prosecution of him for purported violations of Pennsylvania's cruelty-to-animals statute. Presently before the court are motions to dismiss filed by defendants The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. ("PSPCA"), and Elizabeth Pennell Hopkins ("Hopkins") (Doc. No. 27), and by the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, Inc. ("HSHA"), Deb Witmer ("Witmer"), and Jill Troutman ("Troutman") (Doc. No. 28). Also before the Court is a motion for oral argument (Doc. No. 36) filed by defendants HSHA, Witmer, and Troutman. For the reasons that follow, the motions to dismiss will be granted in part and denied in part, and the motion for oral argument will be denied as moot.

I. BACKGROUND Investigation into and subsequent search of Allen's farm

Robert Lee Allen is a farmer who, for the past thirty years, has also been in the business of purchasing and rehabilitating livestock and horses. (Doc. No. 20, ¶ 4.) The animals Allen typically acquires for rehabilitation purposes are underweight, in poor physical condition, and suffer from long-standing medical issues. (Id.) Some of the animals can be rehabilitated and resold, but others are euthanized, slaughtered, or auctioned for slaughter. (Id.)

On January 31, 2004, Witmer, an HSHA humane society police officer, received a telephone complaint regarding the condition of the horses and other livestock on Allen's farm. (Doc. No. 20-2, at 2.) The next day, Witmer and Hopkins, a PSPCA humane society police officer, visited Allen's property to investigate allegations that Allen's animals were malnourished and mistreated. (Id.; Doc. No. 20, ¶ 23.) During the visit, Hopkins expressed to Allen her opinion that the horses needed to be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian, and she and Allen agreed that a veterinarian would examine the animals on Tuesday, February 3, 2004. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 23-25.) Neither Witmer nor Hopkins inquired how long Allen had owned the animals or what care and medications were being provided to them. (Id. ¶ 23.)

On February 2, 2004, Witmer applied for and obtained a warrant from Magisterial District Justice Schulenberger to search Allen's property and to seize certain described animals as well "any and all animals of any species which appear to be the subject of a violation of the Cruelty to Animals Statutes." (Doc. No. 20-2.) In the affidavit of probable cause, Witmer detailed the January 31, 2004, citizen's complaint as well as her own observations of certain animals during her visit to Allen's farm. (Id. at 2.) The affidavit included no information about Allen's willingness to cooperate with authorities, how long he owned the animals, what care and medication the animals were receiving, or whether some or all were exempt from the cruelty-to-animals statute because they were animals used in a normal agricultural operation. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 25, 49(A)-(C).)

Hopkins and Witmer executed the warrant on February 2, 2004, a day when they knew Allen would be away from his farm, and seized eight horses, four goats, and two pigs from Allen's property. (Id. ¶¶ 24, 26.) Hopkins and Witmer also brought "twenty five assorted and unnecessary individuals and entities with them when they executed the search warrant." (Id. ¶ 27.) Allen contends that these third-parties had "no legitimate purpose in being present to trespass upon [his] property and invade his privacy." (Id.) According to the complaint, most of the animals were not seen by a veterinarian until several days after their removal from his farm. (Id. ¶ 28.)

Criminal proceedings against Allen in state court

On February 10, 2004, Witmer filed approximately sixteen criminal citations against Allen alleging cruelty to animals in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5511(c). (Doc. No. 20, ¶ 29.) Witmer withdrew the citations on March 17, 2004, and Hopkins filed new citations against Allen, alleging essentially the same offenses. (Id. ¶¶ 30-31.) At the time Hopkins filed the citations, however, she was not properly registered as a humane society police officer in Cumberland County and, therefore, had no authority to file the citations, a fact elicited during the cross-examination of Hopkins at Allen's summary trial on the charges. (Id. ¶¶ 31-32.) On April 5, 2004, Magisterial District Justice Schulenberger, who was presiding over the summary trial, dismissed all of the citations against Allen because of this fatal flaw in Allen's prosecution. (Id. ¶ 33.) Defendants did not appeal this decision. (Id.)

The following day — April 6, 2004 — Hopkins filed fifteen new criminal citations with Judge Schulenberger, despite the judge's statement the previous day that she would not hear the charges again. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 35-36.) Hopkins withdrew the charges on April 8, 2004, only to file a new set of fifteen citations alleging essentially the same offenses the same day. (Id. ¶ 37.) Over Allen's objections that this second proceeding violated his right to be free from double jeopardy, Magisterial District Justice Bender held a summary trial and convicted Allen of all fifteen charges. (Id. ¶ 38.) Judge Bender ordered that Allen forfeit possession of the seized animals and make restitution to the Commonwealth in the amount of $7,600. (Doc. No. 27, Ex. E, at 62; Doc. No. 28, Ex. B, at 24.)

Allen appealed his conviction to the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County. In an order and opinion issued April 15, 2005, President Judge Hoffer concluded that Allen's second summary trial was held in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 109 (2004), which codifies the principles of double jeopardy under state law: "[J]eopardy attached to the first summary trial and, therefore, the dismissal prohibited the Commonwealth from subjecting [Allen] to another trial on the same charges." (Doc. No. 20-3, at 3, 7-8.)

Allen's attempts in state court to have his property returned

Despite Allen's successful appeal of his convictions, Hopkins, PSPCA, and HSHA refused to return Allen's animals (Doc. No. 20, ¶ 41), prompting him to file a motion seeking their return pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 588. (Doc. No. 20, ¶ 42.) On January 10, 2006, a hearing was held on Allen's Rule 588 motion before Judge Oler of the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas, who granted the motion "to the extent that the Commonwealth is to compensate [Allen] the amount of $750 for the property seized." (Doc. No. 20, ¶ 43; Doc. No. 27, Ex. G; Doc. No. 28, Ex. D.) To explain the award of compensatory damages in lieu of the return of any remaining livestock, Judge Oler opined "that to the extent any of the animals have been successfully restored to health their locations do not appear of record and their quality in terms of personal property will have been so significantly changed as not to be equivalent to the property seized." (Doc. No. 27, Ex. G; Doc. No. 28, Ex. D.)

Allen appealed Judge Oler's decision to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. (Doc. No. 20, ¶ 47; Doc. No. 51-2, Ex. G.) On appeal, Allen complained, inter alia, that Judge Oler erred "in finding that [Allen] would be fully compensated by an award of $750.00 when, in fact, the seized animals are alive and able to be returned to [him]," as required by the plain language of Rule 588 and "in not finding that the property seized by the Commonwealth and owned by [Allen] were non-contraband in nature pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure." (Doc. No. 51, at 5, 12, Ex. G.)

In a non-precedential superior court decision issued December 29, 2006, a panel composed of Judges Musmanno, Todd, and Tamilia concluded that the trial court had erred, but nevertheless affirmed the monetary award. (Doc. No. 71, at 14, 18.) The court explained:

[B]ecause we conclude that the animals seized did, in fact, constitute derivative contraband, in that they were the subject of an unlawful act under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511(c), we find that the trial court erred in concluding that they were not contraband; thus, [Allen] was entitled to nothing and, a fortiori, is entitled to no relief on appeal. However as the Commonwealth did not appeal the trial court's award [of $750.00], we will not disturb it.

(Id. at 18.) Allen's petition for allowance of appeal of this order to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is currently pending. (Doc. No. 73, Ex. C.)

The instant litigation

Allen commenced this suit on February 1, 2006 (Doc. No. 1), and he filed an amended complaint on April 28, 2006 (Doc. No. 20). Allen's amended complaint sets forth three counts: Count I is a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against all defendants; Count II is a state-law claim for malicious prosecution against all defendants; and Count III is a claim under § 1983 against the PSPCA and HSHA for inadequate training and supervision. (Doc. No. 20.) However, within these three counts (and particularly Count I), Allen alleges numerous distinct violations of his Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights arising from defendants' search of his property, seizure and retention of his farm animals, and repeated efforts to criminally prosecute him. (Id.) Allen arguably sets forth a state-law defamation claim, based upon his allegations that defendants communicated defamatory statements about him to others while acting on behalf of the PSPCA and/or HSHA (id. ¶ 39), and a state-law civil conspiracy claim, based upon his averments that various defendants conspired to cause his injuries (see id. ¶¶ 16, 21, 56). Allen seeks actual, consequential, treble, and punitive damages, as well as damages for pain and suffering, inconvenience, attorneys' fees, and "such additional relief as this Honorable Court may deem appropriate." (Id. at 16, 18, 21.)

On May 15, 2006, defendants moved to dismiss Allen's amended complaint on numerous grounds (Doc. Nos. 27, 28) and shortly thereafter filed supporting briefs and sought oral argument on the motions (Doc. Nos. 35, 36, 38). Allen subsequently filed his opposition. (Doc. Nos. 49, 50.) Defendants filed reply briefs (Doc. Nos. 53, 54), and the court permitted Allen to file sur-reply briefs (Doc. Nos. 58, 60, 61). Following the superior court's affirmation of the $750 award on Allen's Rule 588 motion, defendants were permitted to file supplemental briefs in support of their motions (Doc. Nos. 69, 70, 71, 72), to which Allen responded (Doc. Nos. 73, 74). Defendants subsequently filed supplemental reply briefs (Doc. Nos. 78, 80), the last of which was filed on April 13, 2007. Thus, the motions to dismiss have been fully briefed and are ripe for disposition.

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

A motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) tests the legal sufficiency of the complaint, Kost v. Kozakiewicz, 1 F.3d 176, 183 (3d Cir. 1993), and is properly granted when, taking all factual allegations and inferences as true, the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Markowitz v. Northeast Land Co., 906 F.2d 100, 103 (3d Cir. 1990). Although the court is generally limited in its review to the face of the complaint, it "may also consider matters of public record, orders, exhibits attached to the complaint and items appearing in the record of the case." Oshiver v. Levin, Fishbein, Sedran Berman, 38 F.3d 1380, 1384 n. 2 (3d. Cir. 1997); see also In re Burlington Coat Factory Sec. Litig., 114 F.3d 1410, 1426 (3d Cir. 1997).

The moving party bears the burden of showing that no claim has been stated. Johnsrud v. Carter, 620 F.2d 29, 33 (3d Cir. 1980). Thus, the moving party must show that the plaintiff has failed to "set forth sufficient information to outline the elements of his claim or to permit inferences to be drawn that those elements exist." Kost, 1 F.3d at 183 (citations omitted). The court, in turn, must "examine whether, under any reasonable reading of the complaint, the plaintiff may be entitled to relief." Hill v. Borough of Kutztown, 455 F.3d 225, 233 (3d Cir. 2006) (quotingDelaware Nation v. Pennsylvania, 446 F.3d 410, 415 (3d Cir. 2006)). In so doing, the court "need not credit a complaint's 'bald assertions' or 'legal conclusions[.]'" Morse v. Lower Merion Sch. Dist., 132 F.3d 902, 906, 908 (3d Cir. 1997). Rather, a court must only determine "whether the claimant is entitled to offer evidence to support the claims." Pennsylvania Psychiatric Soc. v. Green Spring Health Servs., Inc., 280 F.3d 278, 283 (3d Cir. 2002) (citing In re Burlington Coat Factory Sec. Litig., 114 F.3d at 1420).

Additionally, the court notes that there is no heightened pleading standard in § 1983 actions; rather, the general and less stringent requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8 apply. See Leatherman v. Tarrant County Narcotics Intelligence Coordination Unit, 507 U.S. 163, 168 (1993); Alston v. Parker 363 F.3d 229, 233 (3d Cir. 2004) ("[A] heightened pleading requirement for civil rights complaints no longer retains vitality under the Federal Rules.").

III. DISCUSSION

A. The Rooker-Feldman doctrine

Before discussing the merits of Allen's claims, the court will address the threshold issue of jurisdiction. See U.S. Express Lines Ltd. v. Higgins, 281 F.3d 383, 389-90 (3d Cir. 2002) (noting the "duty of the federal courts to examine their subject matter jurisdiction at all stages of the litigation"). Defendants argue that under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine this court lacks jurisdiction over Allen's constitutional claims relating to the deprivation and retention of his animals. (See, e.g., Doc. No. 38, at 40-42; Doc. No. 35, at 34-36.) For the reasons discussed below, the court disagrees and concludes that it has original subject-matter jurisdiction over the instant dispute.

The fundamental principle of the Rooker-Feldman doctrine — a jurisdictional consideration rooted in the Supreme Court decisions of Rooker v. Fidelity Trust Co., 263 U.S. 413 (1923), and District of Columbia Court of Appeals v. Feldman, 460 U.S. 462 (1983) — is "that a federal district court may not sit as an appellate court to adjudicate appeals of state court proceedings." Walker v. Flitton, 364 F. Supp. 2d 503, 506-07 n. 5 (M.D. Pa. 2005) (quoting Port Auth. Police Benevolent Ass'n, Inc. v. Port Auth. of N.Y. and N.J. Police Dept., 973 F.2d 169, 179 (3d Cir. 1992)). Recently, the Supreme Court confined the application of the Rooker-Feldman doctrine to those cases "[1] brought by state-court losers [2] complaining of injuries caused by state-court judgments [3] rendered before the district court proceedings and [4] inviting district court review and rejection of those judgments." Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Saudi Basic Indus. Corp., 544 U.S. 280, 284 (2005); see Lance v. Dennis, 546 U.S. 459, ___, 126 S. Ct. 1198, 1202 (2006) ("The doctrine applies only in 'limited circumstances' where a party in effect seeks to take an appeal of an unfavorable state-court decision to a lower federal court.") (internal citation omitted); see also Turner v. Crawford Square Apartments III, L.P., 449 F.3d 542, 547 (3d Cir. 2006) (cautioning against applying the Rooker-Feldman doctrine "beyond the contours of the Rooker and Feldman cases") (citation omitted).

The instant case does not fit within the contours of the Rooker-Feldman doctrine as restated by the Court in Exxon Mobil. Obviously, Judge Oler's order on Allen's Rule 588 motion satisfies one element of the Rooker-Feldman standard articulated in Exxon Mobil in that it was issued prior to the commencement of this action. However, it does not satisfy any of the remaning elements. Allen was not a state-court loser: he filed a motion under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 588, and the court of common pleas granted the motion and awarded him relief, albeit not the relief detailed in the rule itself. (Doc. No. 28, Ex. D); see Pa. R. Crim. P. 588(B) (stating that "the property shall be restored . . ."); (Doc. No. 51, Ex. G) (complaining on appeal to the superior court that the trial court erred in awarding money in lieu of the property). Second, the instant action seeks redress for injuries which occurred before Judge Oler issued his order on Allen's Rule 588 Motion. Specifically, Allen alleges that defendants unlawfully retained his property beginning on April 5, 2004, when Judge Schulenberger dismissed the citations against him. (See Doc. No. 20, ¶ 41.) Thus, Allen seeks recovery for injuries that existed prior to and are separate and distinct from those addressed by the trial court's order. See Turner, 449 F.3d at 547 (emphasizing that the plaintiff must be complaining of an injury caused by the state-court judgment itself); see also Holt v. Lake County Bd. of Comm'rs, 408 F.3d 335, 369 (7th Cir. 2005) (plaintiff's action barred by Rooker-Feldman because "[plaintiff's] injury was caused by the state court judgments . . . [and] absent the state court's judgment . . . [plaintiff] would not have the injury he now seeks to redress."). Third, Allen is not asking this court to review and reject the judgment of the state court awarding him damages. Indeed, he raises federal claims that were never adjudicated as part of the Rule 588 proceedings. Although Judge Oler made various findings as part of his order on Allen's Rule 588 motion for return of seized property, this court's adjudication of Allen's federal claims will not "require the court to conclude that the State Court made an incorrect factual or legal determination," Desi's Pizza v. City of Wilkes-Barre, 321 F.3d 411, 421 (3d Cir. 2003), nor will federal relief prevent the state court's enforcement of its orders directing the Commonwealth to pay Allen $750. See In re Knapper, 407 F.3d 573, 580 (3d Cir. 2005); (Doc. No. 28, Ex. D) (trial court order); (Doc. No. 71, at 14-19) (superior court order). Finally, the court notes that Allen has appealed Judge Oler's Rule 588 ruling through the appropriate channels — by taking an appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court (Doc. No. 51, Ex. G; Doc. No. 71, at 14-19), and by, more recently, petitioning the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for allowance of appeal (Doc. No. 73, Ex. C) — which weighs against defendants' arguments that Allen is improperly attempting to bring an appeal of Judge Oler's ruling before this court.

Defendants also contend the federal claims advanced by Allen are "inextricably intertwined" with the state adjudication. (See Doc. No. 38, at 42; Doc. No. 35, at 36.) To the extent this remains a viable analysis, the court disagrees with defendants. Federal claims are inextricably intertwined with a prior state court adjudication where "federal relief can only be predicated upon a conviction that the state court was wrong." Taliaferro v. Darby Twp. Zoning Bd., 458 F.3d 181, 192 (3d Cir. 2006) (citation omitted). As discussed above, this court's adjudication of Allen's federal claims will not require such a finding. Moreover, when a federal plaintiff presents "some independent claim, albeit one that denies a legal conclusion that the state court has reached in a case to which he was a party . . . there is jurisdiction and state law determines whether the defendant prevails under principles of preclusion."Exxon Mobil, 544 U.S. at 293 (citation omitted); see Turner, 449 F.3d at 547-48. Here, Allen has stated Fourteenth Amendment due process violations, alleging that the state procedures for return of his animals were inadequate in his case. (Doc. No. 49, at 32-33; see Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 1, 41-47, 49, 57-58; Doc. No. 49, 32-33); see also Krause v. Passaro, No. 3:03-505, 2005 WL 2300356, at *4 (M.D. Pa. Sept. 21, 2005) ("To maintain an action for intentional or negligent deprivation of property under section 1983, Plaintiff must show . . . [that] Plaintiff has no adequate post-deprivation state remedy to redress the wrong."). Clearly, this claim is independent of those presented to Judge Oler during Allen's Rule 588 proceedings.

Accordingly, the court concludes that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine does not act to deprive the court of its subject-matter jurisdiction over Allen's claims. Having satisfied its obligation to confirm the existence of its subject-matter jurisdiction, the court will now turn to the substantive arguments advanced by defendants in support of their motions to dismiss.

B. Plaintiff's § 1983 claims

To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege the violation of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States, and must show that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988); Gibson v. Superintendent of N.J. Dep't of Law Pub. Safety Div. of State Police, 411 F.3d 427, 433 (3d Cir. 2005). The defendants in the instant suit satisfy the "acting under color of state law" requirement. Defendants HSHA and PSPCA were entities statutorily authorized to enforce Pennsylvania laws pertaining to criminal cruelty-to-animals violations under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5511. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 5, 13); see supra footnote 2. Defendant Witmer was, during all relevant times, a humane society police officer for the HSHA authorized to enforce Pennsylvania's criminal cruelty laws in Cumberland County. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 10-11, 15.) Defendant Hopkins was likewise a humane society police officer for the PSPCA (id. ¶¶ 7-9, 15), and to the extent Hopkins acted while her certification was not properly registered, the complaint adequately alleges that she was acting as an employee and/or agent of the PSPCA, holding herself out as a state actor, and working in conjunction with Witmer, a state actor (id. ¶¶ 15, 21, 23-32, 49); see Dennis v. Sparks, 449 U.S. 24, 27-28 (1980) (noting that one is acting "under state color of state law for § 1983 purposes" when "he is a willful participant in joint action with the State or its agents") (citing Adickes v. S. H. Kress Co., 398 U.S. 144, 152 (1970)). Finally, the complaint adequately identifies defendant Troutman as an agent and/or employee of HSHA acting within the scope of her duties and in conjunction with other state actors. (See id. ¶¶ 12, 49(J), 56.)

The court will briefly address the arguments of HSHA and PSPCA that Allen improperly seeks to impose respondeat superior liability on them for alleged misconduct of their agents. See City of Canton v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 685 (1989) (" Respondeat superior or vicarious liability will not attach under § 1983.") (citing Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 694-95 (1978)). Specifically, HSHA and PSPCA contend that Allen "cannot as a matter of law advance a municipal liability claim against [them] because he cannot establish that any alleged municipal custom, practice or policy was the moving force behind a constitutional violation by a state actor." (Doc. No. 38, at 43-44; Doc. No. 35, at 31-32); see Monell, 436 U.S. at 690-91 (holding that municipalities and local governments are "persons" who may be sued under § 1983 for constitutional deprivations resulting from their policies, practices, and customs). These arguments are without merit. Allen has alleged that HSHA and PSPCA failed to provide adequate training and supervision to their humane society police officers regarding how to investigate and prosecute offenses in a manner that does not violate the civil rights of a suspect. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 16-20, 49-55, 69-78.) Allen alleges that this policy or practice of inadequately preparing and monitoring humane society police officers amounted to deliberate indifference for his constitutional rights and caused the constitutional violations for which he now seeks relief. (id.); see City of Canton, 489 U.S. at 388-92 (holding that a policy of inadequate training may serve as the basis for § 1983 municipal liability where the failure to train amounts to deliberate indifference to the rights of persons with whom the entity's agents/employees come into contact).

According to Allen, the PSPCA permitted defendant Hopkins "to continue a course, pattern, and practice of improper, unlawful, and malicious conduct." (Id. ¶ 46); (see also id. ¶ 70) (alleging that both PSPCA and HSHS "ratified, endorsed, acquiesced in, or approved the course of action of their respective employees and conspired with them to commit the violations alleged herein"). Whether Allen will be able to establish that the PSPCA and/or HSHA's custom, practice, or policy was the moving force behind Witmer and Hopkins' actions is not a question presently before the court; rather, the inquiry on a motion to dismiss is whether Allen has adequately alleged a basis for holding these entities liable. At this time, the court is unable to say that "it appears beyond doubt that [Allen] can prove no set of facts in support of [his] claims which would entitle [him] to relief." Wilson v. Rackmill, 878 F.2d 772, 775 (3d Cir. 1989) (quoting Wisniewski v. Johns-Manville Corp., 759 F.2d 271 (3d Cir. 1985)). Accordingly, the court will deny HSHA and PSPCA's motion to dismiss on the grounds that Allen cannot establish that they, as entities, are responsible for the alleged constitutional violations discussed below.

1. Claims relating to the search of Allen's home

Allen alleges that defendants Witmer and Hopkins violated his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches when they improperly procured and executed the search warrant on his farm. Allen further alleges that HSHA and PSPCA should be held liable for their own participation in the search and for ratifying and endorsing the unconstitutional conduct of their agents. (See Doc. No. 20, ¶ 16, 41, 46, 49(F)-(J), 50, 52-54.) In support thereof, Allen claims that the affidavit of probable cause contained allegations that were factually inaccurate and omitted relevant and material information. (Id. ¶¶ 25, 49, 55.) According to Allen, the correction of the misstatements and inclusion of the omitted material would have vitiated the magistrate's finding of probable cause. (See id.)

In response, defendants unpersuasively contend that "[a]s a matter of law, the issuance of the warrant was supported by probable cause" (Doc. No. 38, at 29), and urge the court to focus "on what the affidavit includes, rather than on what it does not include" (id. at 30). (See also Doc. No. 54, at 2.) The court finds this argument to be premature. To state a § 1983 action based upon an invalid search warrant, the plaintiff must allege that (1) the state actor "knowingly and deliberately, or with a reckless disregard for the truth, made false statements or omissions that create a falsehood in applying for the warrant," and (2) that "such statements or omissions are material or necessary to the finding of probable cause." See Wilson v. Russo, 212 F.3d 781, 786-87 (3d Cir. 2000) (in the context of an arrest warrant). Here, Allen alleges that the affidavit of probable cause contained factual inaccuracies and omitted material and relevant information, such as: (1) Allen's willingness to cooperate with the authorities and have the animals promptly seen by a veterinarian; (2) how long he owned the animals; (3) what care and medication the animals were receiving; or (4) whether some or all were exempt from the cruelty-to-animals statute because they were animals used in a normal agricultural operation. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 25, 49(A)-(C), 55.) He asserts that these misstatements and omissions were deliberate and argues that the warrant would not have issued, and the search would not have occurred, absent these misstatements and omissions. (See id.) At this early stage of the litigation, the court is unable to assess Witmer's mental state, evaluate her alleged misstatements and omissions, and determine what effect, if any, the they had on the validity of the warrant and constitutionality of the subsequent search. The court concludes that Allen's allegations are sufficient to withstand defendants' motions to dismiss.

In their supplemental briefs, defendants argue that Allen cannot state a Fourth Amendment claim relating to the search because of the following statement by the superior court: "The trial court stated that it 'was of the view that the animals had been properly seized in accordance with the aforesaid statute.' We agree." (Doc. No. 71, at 16) (citation omitted). Essentially, defendants urge that Allen is collaterally estopped from arguing that the seizure was improper. However, as will be discussed below in more detail, for collateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, to apply, "[t]he identical issue must have been necessary to final judgment on the merits." Bortz v. W.C.A.B. (Reznor Div. of FL Indus.), PGPage 23 683 A.2d 259, 261 (Pa. 1996) (quoting Balent v. City of Wilkes-Barre, 669 A.2d 309, 313 (Pa. 1995)). In reviewing Allen's motion under Rule 588 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, the state trial and appellate courts were required to determine only whether Allen was entitled to lawful possession of non-contraband seized property; such an adjudication does not require any evaluation of the lawfulness of the warrant or search themselves.See Pa. R. Crim. P. 588(A), (B); compare with Pa. R. Crim. P. 581 (permitting a defendant to move for suppression of evidence allegedly obtained in violation of his rights). Thus, the Pennsylvania Superior Court's statements regarding the validity of the warrant and search were obiter dicta, unnecessary to the court's determination of whether Allen was entitled to the return of his animals. Accordingly, the court finds that these statements are not entitled to preclusive effect.

Finally, defendants take issue with Allen's contention that defendants Witmer, Hopkins, and their agencies exceeded the scope of the warrant by executing it with "twenty five assorted and unnecessary individuals and entities" who "had no legitimate purpose in being present to trespass upon [his] property and invade his privacy." (Id. ¶ 27.) They explain that this manpower was both reasonable and necessary, given the size of Allen's property and the objects of the search. This argument is premature. Its acceptance would require the court to adopt unilaterally the defendants' proffered justifications for the presence of third parties. On a motion to dismiss, however, the court is directed to evaluate allegations of a plaintiff's complaint to determine whether a claim has been stated. The United States Supreme Court has held that "it is a violation of the Fourth Amendment for police to bring members of the media or other third parties into a home during the execution of a warrant when the presence of the third parties in the home was not to aid in the execution of the warrant." Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 614 (1999). Allen's allegation that third parties with no legitimate law-enforcement purpose were present during the execution of the search warrant is sufficient to withstand defendants' motions to dismiss on this ground.

In conclusion, the court finds that plaintiff has adequately stated a claim against Witmer, Hopkins, and their respective agencies for alleged violations of the Fourth Amendment arising from the search of his property and the inclusion of various third parties in the same.

2. Claims relating to retention of animals

Allen also asserts claims under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments arising from (1) the retention of his animals by Witmer, Hopkins, Troutman, PSPCA, and HSHA after the charges against him were dismissed in 2004 and (2) the inadequacy of the state measures designed to insure the proper return of his seized animals. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 41-45, 49-56.) These claims fail, however, because this court must give preclusive effect to the Pennsylvania Superior Court's finding that the property was contraband and that Allen could have no legitimate property interest in the animals. Without a constitutionally protected property interest in the animals, Allen cannot claim that their prolonged seizure violated the Fourth Amendment or that it amounted to a Fifth Amendment taking, nor can he claim that he was denied due process with respect to his efforts to have the animals returned to him.

Federal courts look principally to state law to determine the effect of a state-court judgment. Lance, 126 S. Ct. at 1202-03. In Pennsylvania, collateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, has been defined as:

[A] doctrine which prevents re-litigation of an issue in a later action, despite the fact that it is based on a cause of action different from the one previously litigated. The identical issue must have been necessary to the final judgment on the merits, and the party against whom the plea is asserted must have been a party, or in privity with a party, to the prior action and must have had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in question.

The superior court issued its ruling on Allen's Rule 588 appeal in an unpublished memorandum decision. Such decisions may be relied upon or cited when relevant for preclusion purposes. The superior court's ruling on Allen's appeal qualifies as a final judgment on the merits, contrary to Allen's assertion that he is in the process of seeking leave to appeal to the state supreme court. Under Pennsylvania law, "a judgment is final for purposes of res judicata and collateral estoppel unless and until reversed on appeal." Yonkers v. Donora Borough, 702 A.2d 618, 620 (Pa.Commw.Ct. 1997) (citing, inter alia, Shaffer v. Smith, 673 A.2d 872 (Pa. 1996)); cf. Marks v. Nationwide Ins. Co., 762 A.2d 1098, 1101 (Pa.Super.Ct. 2000) ("[W]e have long held that as long as the decision has not been overturned by our Supreme Court, a decision by our Court remains binding precedent.") (citation omitted). Accordingly, Allen's pending request for an appeal does not destroy the finality of the superior court's judgment for collateral estoppel purposes, Yonkers, 702 A.2d at 620, and the first element of the court's collateral estoppel inquiry is met.

The second element is satisfied because the lawfulness Allen's property interest was actually litigated and necessary to the adjudication of his Rule 588 motion. By its own terms, Rule 588 directs the trial court to evaluate whether the movant is "entitled to lawful possession" of the property at issue and to determine whether the "property is contraband, in which case the court may order the property to be forfeited." Pa. R. Crim. P. 588(A), (B); see Petition of Koenig, 663 A.2d 725, 726 (Pa.Super.Ct. 1995) (explaining that the Rule 588 movant has the initial burden of establishing lawful possession of the property, at which time the burden shifts to the Commonwealth to show that the property is contraband or derivative contraband). In his appellate brief to the superior court, Allen specifically challenged the failure of the trial court to identify his property as non-contraband. (Doc. No. 51, at 51, Ex. G) ("The Trial Court erred in not finding that the animals seized by the Commonwealth and owned by [Allen] were non-contraband in nature pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure."). The superior court explained that "the adequacy of monetary judgment in lieu of the return of property," one of Allen's primary arguments on appeal, "is not an issue unless it has been determined that [Allen] is entitled to the return of his property." (Doc. No. 71, at 17.) The superior court answered this threshold inquiry in the negative, concluding "that the animals seized did, in fact constitute derivative contraband, in that they were subject of an unlawful act under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511(c)" and finding "that the trial court erred in concluding that they were not contraband." (Id. at 18.) Although the superior court affirmed the trial court's monetary award, the evaluation of Allen's property interest in the animals was a necessary step in the court's determination of whether the monetary award was adequate relief for Allen's alleged injuries.

The remaining two elements are also met here — Allen was the movant in the state-court proceedings, and he had a full and fair opportunity to establish his property interest in the animals at that time. Accordingly, the court must give preclusive effect to the superior court's finding that the animals were contraband.

Because Allen cannot establish a constitutionally protected property interest in the animals, he is unable to assert that defendants' retention of the same was an unlawful seizure or taking. Additionally, without a constitutionally protected property interest, Allen cannot challenge the adequacy of the Commonwealth's procedures with respect to seeking the return of the animals. Hence, Allen's Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment claims relating to the retention of his animals fail as a matter of law and will be dismissed.

3. Claims relating to Allen's criminal prosecution

i. Defendants Witmer, Hopkins, PSPCA, and HSHA

Allen asserts that defendants Witmer, Hopkins, PSPCA, and HSHA violated his constitutional rights through their repeated and allegedly improper efforts to prosecute him for violations of Pennsylvania's cruelty-to-animals laws. The complaint alleges violations of Allen's substantive due process rights, his constitutional right to be free from double jeopardy, and his Fourth Amendment right to be free from malicious prosecution. a. Substantive due process claim against Hopkins and PSPCA

Plaintiff argues that Hopkins and her agency violated his substantive due process rights when Hopkins commenced criminal proceedings against him: (1) on March 17, 2004, and April 6, 2004, knowing that she lacked the authority to bring such charges because she was not registered as a humane society police officer in Cumberland County; and (2) on April 6, 2004, and April 8, 2004, knowing that she could not legally re-file the same charges that had been dismissed by Judge Schulenberger. (See Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 9, 31-38, 49(E)-(I), 55, 57); (Doc. No. 20-3, at 3) (citing Order, Philadelphia County C.P. Ct., October 31, 2000, recorded in Cumberland County, April 7, 2004); see also Johnson v. Chester, 10 F. Supp. 2d 482, 487, 489 (E.D. Pa. 1998) (allowing to proceed, on a motion to dismiss, plaintiff's unchallenged claim "that defendants knowingly and in violation of her Fifth Amendment rights placed her in double jeopardy by prosecuting her a second time on those same charges").

The Supreme Court has explained that the "touchstone of due process is protection of the individual against arbitrary action of government." County of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 843 (1998). In County of Sacramento, the Court further held that a person's substantive due process rights are violated only when executive action is "conscience shocking, in a constitutional sense." Id. at 846-47. Defendants Hopkins and PSPCA argue that Hopkins's failure to register in Cumberland County was a simple administrative oversight not rising to a level of a constitutional violation. This argument overlooks Allen's allegations that these charges were maliciously filed by Hopkins with full knowledge of the critical "oversight" which deprived her of any authority to file such charges. Additionally, without citation to meaningful authority, defendants Hopkins and PSPCA posit that "prosecution in contravention of the double jeopardy clause cannot, as a matter of law, amount to an abuse of official power such that it shocks the conscience." (Doc. No. 38, at 36) (internal brackets and quotation marks omitted). The court is unpersuaded that these arguments require dismissal of Allen's substantive due process and double jeopardy claims against Hopkins and PSPCA at this juncture. The court is likewise unconvinced by defendants' passing statement that they should be afforded prosecutorial immunity for their involvement in Allen's criminal prosecution. (Id.) b. Malicious prosecution claims against Witmer, Hopkins, PSPCA, and HSHA

Allen also asserts Fourth Amendment malicious prosecution claims against defendants Witmer, Hopkins, and their respective agencies. To state a claim for malicious prosecution under the Fourth Amendment, a plaintiff must allege that: "(1) the defendant initiated a criminal proceeding; (2) the criminal proceeding ended in his favor; (3) the defendant initiated the proceeding without probable cause; (4) the defendant acted maliciously or for a purpose other than bringing the plaintiff to justice; and (5) the plaintiff suffered deprivation of liberty as a consequence of a legal proceeding." Johnson v. Knorr, 477 F.3d 75, 82 (3d Cir. 2007) (citing Estate of Smith v. Marasco, 318 F.3d 497, 521 (3d Cir. 1998)). The Third Circuit has recognized that "[p]retrial custody and some onerous types of pretrial, non-custodial restrictions constitute a Fourth Amendment seizure"; however, "attendance at trial d[oes] not [itself] qualify as a Fourth Amendment seizure." Johnson, 477 F.3d at 85 n. 14 (quoting DiBella v. Borough of Beachwood, 407 F.3d 599, 603 (3d Cir. 2005)). Allen has not alleged that he suffered any deprivation of liberty as a result of the criminal charges filed by defendants, other than his attendance at his trials. Trial attendance does not qualify as a deprivation of liberty sufficient to support a Fourth Amendment malicious prosecution claim. See id. Hence, Allen's malicious prosecution claim against Witmer, Hopkins, PSPCA, and HSHA must fail because he has not alleged this essential element.

For the foregoing reasons, Allen has sufficiently alleged constitutional claims against Hopkins and PSPCA arising from his criminal prosecution insofar as he seeks to hold them liable for alleged violations of his right to due process and right to be free from double jeopardy. Allen has not, however, stated malicious prosecution claims grounded in the Fourth Amendment against any of these defendants.

ii. Defendant Troutman

Allen makes no specific allegations of unconstitutional or tortious conduct committed by Troutman (see Doc. No. 20), nor does he articulate the relationship, if any, that Troutman has with defendants Witmer and Hopkins. On occasion, Allen refers to "defendants" generally. (See, e.g., id. ¶¶ 55-57, 61-63.) However, given Allen's specific allegations relating to the initiation and continuation of the criminal charges against him (see id. ¶¶ 29-38, 49), the court finds that general references to "defendants" are insufficient to give Troutman notice of any federal or state claims asserted against her. Thus, Allen's claims relating to the illegality of his prosecution will be dismissed insofar as he intended to assert them against Troutman. Allen will be granted leave to file a second amended complaint containing a more definite statement to clarify which claims, if any, are asserted against Troutman.

C. Plaintiff's state-law claims

1. Malicious prosecution

In Count II of his amended complaint, Allen alleges that defendants Witmer, Hopkins, PSPCA, and HSHA maliciously and without probable cause "initiated, prosecuted, and continued to prosecute criminal proceedings against [him]" and that the proceedings terminated in his favor. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 61-66); see also supra subsection B.3.ii (explaining that the complaint gives insufficient notice to defendant Troutman whether claims arising out of Allen's prosecution are being asserted against her). Defendants cite the case of Ritzel v. Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, No. 04-2757, 2005 WL 331518, at *5 (E.D. Pa. Feb. 9, 2005), for the proposition that "an action for malicious prosecution does not lie under Pennsylvania law for criminal prosecution." (Doc. No. 38, at 44;see also Doc. No. 35, at 36-38.) Defendants fundamentally misapprehend the district court's ruling in Ritzel. In that case, the plaintiff asserted that the defendants, the PSPCA and Hopkins, violated 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 8351-54, commonly referred to as the "Dragonetti Act," which codifies the tort of malicious use of civil process in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Ritzel, 2005 WL 331518, at *5. Because the proceedings at issue were criminal proceedings under the cruelty-to-animal laws, the court found that the Dragonetti Act did not apply and dismissed plaintiff's Dragonetti Act claims.Id. Defendants' attempt to read Ritzel for the proposition that there is no cause of action for malicious prosecution is unsupported by the text of the case and by applicable state law.

In Pennsylvania, "in order to sustain a cause of action for malicious prosecution relating to a criminal prosecution, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant: (1) instituted proceedings against the plaintiff, (2) without probable cause, (3) with malice, and (4) that the proceedings were terminated in favor of the plaintiff." Corrigan v. Central Tax Bureau of Pa., 828 A.2d 502, 505 (Pa.Commw.Ct. 2003) (citation omitted);accord Haefner v. Buckey, 626 A.2d 519 (Pa. 1993); Bradley v. General Acc. Ins. Co., 778 A.2d 707 (Pa.Super.Ct. 2001);Gallucci v. Phillips Jacobs, Inc., 614 A.2d 284 (Pa.Super.Ct. 1992); see also Johnson, 477 F.3d at 78, 86 (acknowledging plaintiff's state-law claim for malicious prosecution and directing the trial court to vacate its order remanding the claim to state court).

Defendants argue that Allen's claims must fail because the charges were filed neither maliciously nor without probable cause. Allen has alleged that the charges were made maliciously and in knowing violation of his federal and state rights, which is sufficient to withstand the motions to dismiss. With respect to probable cause, defendants argue that Judge Bender's conviction of Allen on all counts prevents his assertion that the proceedings were instituted without probable cause. The Third Circuit has directed, however, that state-law convictions overturned on appeal do not "conclusively establish probable cause and necessarily negate any possibility that [a claimant] could establish her § 1983 malicious prosecution claim."Montgomery v. DeSimone, 159 F.3d 120, 122 (3d Cir. 1998); cf. Ashford v. Bartz, No. 04-643, 2006 WL 208802 (M.D. Pa. Jan. 26, 2006) (declining to dismiss false arrest charges on the ground that the district justice found that probable cause existed for the arrest and that plaintiff was guilty of disorderly conduct because such evidence, while "highly probative evidence that Defendants had probable cause to arrest Plaintiff . . . is not dispositive as a matter of law"). Defendants rely, in part, on this court's decision in Barshinger v. Buffington, No. 03-506, 2004 WL 3607974 (M.D. Pa. June 10, 2004). However, Barshinger is inapposite. It is a summary judgment ruling based upon a finding of insufficient evidence to support plaintiffs' claims. Id. at *1, *7-8; (see Doc. No. 35, at 25-26). This court specifically found that Barshinger "presented no evidence that the . . . citations suffered from a lack of probable cause." Barshinger, 2004 WL 3607972, at *8. In the matter sub judice, the court need only determine whether Allen is "entitled to offer evidence to support his claims," not whether his evidence is sufficient to go to trial. See Pennsylvania Psychiatric Soc. v. Green Spring Health Servs., Inc., 280 F.3d 278, 283 (3d Cir. 2002) (citation omitted).

Defendants next argue that Allen has failed to assert that he was actually "innocent" of the various criminal charges. (Doc. No. 53, at 10) (citing Hector v. Watt, 235 F.3d 154 (3d Cir. 2000), wherein the court stated that a malicious prosecution plaintiff "face[s] the problem that . . . [he] must be innocent of the crime charged in the underlying prosecution," but ultimately "did not need to address the complexities of [its] malicious prosecution jurisprudence" because the plaintiff advanced no malicious prosecution claim). Viewing Allen's pleadings in the light most favorable to him, the court finds that Allen has set forth this final element of a prima facie case of malicious prosecution. Allen's allegations that the animals were being treated for their ailments, had received appropriate medications, and had long-standing conditions existing prior to his receipt of the animals, as well as his contention that some or all of the animals fall within the "normal agricultural exception" to the animal cruelty statutes, can be construed as an assertion of actual innocence of some or all of the charges. (See Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 4, 23, 49(A)-(C), 63.)

Moreover, the Third Circuit has explained that "[a]ctual innocence is not required for a common law favorable termination, and a dismissal of charges on double jeopardy grounds is a common law favorable termination." Smith v. Holtz, 87 F.3d 108, 113 (3d Cir. 1996) (citing Haefner v. Burkey, 626 A.2d 519, 521 (Pa. 1993); Restatement of the Law of Torts §§ 659, 660 (1938)); see Haefner, 626 A.2d at 521 ("Appellant argues that the declaration of a mistrial in the first criminal proceeding against him and the subsequent quashing of the indictment by the Superior Court represents termination in favor of appellant. We agree."). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has generally adopted the Restatement (Second) of Torts approach with respect to malicious prosecution claims. See Haefner, 626 A.2d at 521. Section 659 of the Restatement provides that "[c]riminal proceedings are terminated in favor of the accused by: (a) a discharge by the magistrate at a preliminary hearing, or . . . (c) the formal abandonment of the proceedings by the public prosecutor, or (d) the quashing of an indictment or information, or . . . (f) a final order in favor of the accused by a trial or appellate court." See id. (quoting Restatement (Second) Torts § 659 (1977)). The withdrawal of the charges, dismissal of the same, and quashing of Allen's conviction likely fall within the ambit of "criminal proceedings . . . terminat[ing] in favor of the accused." See Restatement (Second) Torts § 659.

In their supplemental submissions, defendants contend that the Pennsylvania Superior Court's conclusion that Allen violated the cruelty-to-animal laws forecloses his argument that his prosecution was initiated without probable cause. In particular, they refer to the superior court's explanation that "what [Allen] may have intended to do with the animals does not change the fact that the condition of the animals at the time they were seized rendered [Allen] in violation of Section 5511(c)(1)." (Doc. No. 71, at 18) (footnote in original omitted). The Pennsylvania Superior Court also recognized that "[Allen] himself admitted that the animals were in need of food, water, and or veterinary care." (Doc. No. 71, at 17.) Defendants' attempt to invoke collateral estoppel against Allen in this context fails for the same reason it failed in the context of the search: the issue was not "necessary to final judgment on the merits." See Pa. R. Crim. P. 588(A), (B); see also Bortz, 683 A.2d at 261 (citation omitted). In the Rule 588 proceedings, the court was required only to determine whether the animals were contraband or derivative contraband, not whose actions caused the animals to become derivative contraband. Accordingly, the court's statements are not entitled to preclusive effect and will not prevent Allen from stating a claim for malicious prosecution under state law.

Alternatively, defendants PSPCA and HSHA claim that they are immune from Allen's state-law tort claims pursuant to Pennsylvania's Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act (the "PSTCA"), 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8541-64. Defendants' argument relating to the PSTCA consists of a cursory explanation of Taylor v. North, No. 96-3666, 1996 WL 482985, at *2 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 15, 1996), a case in which the district court concluded, with little discussion, that the state tort claims against PSPCA were barred. Whether PSPCA and HSHA are local agencies covered by the PSTCA is not as clear as defendants suggest. In 2001, the Court of Common Pleas for Fayette County considered a motion for summary judgment by The Fayette County Society for the Prevention of Cruetly to Animals Inc. based upon PSTCA immunity. Tabaj v. Fayette Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Inc., 53 Pa. D C.4th 399, 2001 WL 1808561 (Fayette County C.P. Ct. 2001), aff'd mem. 828 A.2d 409 (Pa.Super.Ct. 2003). After discussing the purpose of the PSTCA and those entities which have been considered "local agencies" by the state courts, the trial court in Tabaj rejected the Fayette County SPCA's assertion that it was entitled to immunity. Id. ("[O]ur research has revealed no instances where a defendant, such as the one now before this court[,] has been afforded local agency status under the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act."). Allen has challenged the applicability of the PSTCA to PSPCA and HSHA, claiming that their classification as private charitable corporations would "disqualify the organization[s] as political subdivision[s]" or local agencies covered by the Act. (Doc. No. 50, at 35; Doc. No. 60, at 8; Doc. No. 49, at 23; Doc. No. 61, at 5-6.) Defendants have not responded to Allen's arguments regarding the entities' legal status other than to refer once again to Taylor. In light of defendants' conclusory assertions that the PSTCA applies to them and the conflicting caselaw on the subject, the court has an inadequate record upon which to conclude that the PSTCA affords defendants the protections they claim.

Finally, defendants Witmer and HSHA persuasively argue that their liability should not extend to the actions taken solely by Hopkins and PSPCA after Witmer withdrew the initial citations. (Doc. No. 35, at 32-33.) Upon review of the complaint, the court agrees that Allen has not alleged any efforts by Witmer to prosecute him after she withdrew the initial criminal charges on March 17, 2004, nor has Allen articulated a basis to hold HSHA responsible for the actions taken by another legal entity (and its agent). Accordingly, Allen's state-law claims for malicious prosecution may proceed against defendants Witmer, Hopkins, and their respective agencies; however, the claims against Witmer and HSHA shall be limited to the period of time during which they were actually involved in the prosecution efforts.

2. Defamation civil conspiracy

The parties dispute whether Allen has set forth claims for defamation and civil conspiracy. Allen's amended complaint is structured to assert two counts under § 1983 (Counts I and III) and one count under state law for malicious prosecution (Count II). (Doc. No. 20.) Defendants, therefore, argue that Allen has not sought relief for any other state-law violations and that his inclusion of references to defamatory statements and civil conspiracies should be stricken from the amended complaint as improper and irrelevant. (See Doc. No. 35, at 40-42); (see also Doc. No. 54, at 3) ("[I]t is not clear on the face of Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint whether plaintiff is claiming slander, libel, and/or conspiracy and against which parties if such claims are being asserted."). Allen, in turn, asserts that his allegations adequately set forth a claim for defamation and he seeks relief for such tortious conduct. (Doc. No. 49, at 31-33.) Allen does not squarely address defendants' contentions regarding his conspiracy allegations.

The court agrees that is unclear whether, and against whom, Allen is asserting defamation and/or civil conspiracy claims. The allegations relating to defamation primarily appear in paragraph 39 of his 80-paragraph complaint, which by its own terms purports to set forth claims only under § 1983 and state malicious prosecution law. (Doc. No. 20.) Similarly, Allen's references to conspiracy and acting in concert are conclusory and scattered throughout the complaint. (Doc. No. 20, ¶¶ 16, 21, 56, 77.) Thus, the court finds that Allen's amended complaint fails to state claims for defamation and civil conspiracy, but will grant him leave to file a second amended complaint containing a more definite statement of these claims. Should Allen choose to file a second amended complaint clearly seeking relief for these purported state-law violations, he is advised to articulate the actions allegedly taken by each defendant, rather than referring to "defendants" collectively.

IV. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Allen will be permitted to proceed against defendants Witmer, Hopkins, HSHA, and PSPCA on his § 1983 claims related to their allegedly unlawful search of his property, and against Hopkins and PSPCA for their improper attempts to convict him criminally. Allen will additionally be able to pursue his state-law claim for malicious prosecution against defendants Witmer, Hopkins, HSHA, and PSPCA, though the claim against Witmer and HSHA shall not include the period of time after Witmer withdrew the charges.

In light of the Pennsylvania Superior Court's ruling that the animals seized pursuant to the warrant were derivative contraband — a finding to which this court must give preclusive effect — Allen's claims relating to the seized animals cannot survive defendants' motions to dismiss. Thus, the court will dismiss Allen's claims under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments arising from (1) defendants' retention of his animals and (2) the alleged inadequacy of the state measures designed to insure the proper return of the seized animals.

Finally, the complaint gives insufficient notice to defendants whether, and against whom, Allen is seeking relief under state law for defamation or civil conspiracy, and which claims, if any, are asserted against defendant Troutman. The court will dismiss these claims without prejudice and grant Allen leave to file a second amended complaint containing a more definite statement of these claims, should he choose to assert them.

An appropriate order will issue.

ORDER

AND NOW, this 14th day of May, 2007, upon consideration of defendants' motions to dismiss (Doc. Nos. 27, 28) and the opposition thereto, and for the reasons set forth in the accompanying memorandum, it is hereby ORDERED that defendants' motions are GRANTED in part as follows:

1. Plaintiff's § 1983 claims against all defendants relating to the retention of his animals are DISMISSED.

2. Plaintiff's § 1983 claims against all defendants for malicious prosecution in violation of the Fourth Amendment are DISMISSED.

3. Plaintiff's state-law malicious prosecution claim is DISMISSED against defendants Witmer and HSHA insofar as Plaintiff seeks to impose liability on these defendants for the time period after Witmer withdrew the criminal charges against him.

4. Plaintiff's state-law claims for defamation and civil conspiracy are DISMISSED for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff is granted leave to file a second amended complaint no later than ten (10) days from the issuance of this order containing a more definite statement of these claims and specifying which defendants said claims are asserted against.

5. All claims against defendant Troutman are DISMISSED for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff is granted leave to file a second amended complaint no later than ten (10) days from the issuance of this order containing a more definite statement of which claims, if any, are being asserted against Troutman.

The motions to dismiss are DENIED in part insofar as plaintiff's remaining claims will be allowed to proceed.

It is further ORDERED that the motion for oral argument filed by defendants HSHA, Witmer, and Troutman (Doc. No. 36) is DENIED as moot.

Furthermore, the parties are directed to submit an amended joint case management plan with the court on or before Friday, June 1, 2007 , after which the court will issue a revised case management order.