By Albert J. Chille
I am writing in response to recent statements made by Gina Browning, Erie County SPCA director of public relations. She recently stated: “When no assistance was provided by the Rainbow Animal Shelter regarding the Niagara County incident (the Rainbow Animal Shelter is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Niagara County), SPCA serving Erie County representatives arrived at the Amherst Animal Emergency Clinic Saturday to assist.”
This, plus a report on the Erie County SPCA’s Web site, implies the Niagara SPCA is not responsive to the needs of an injured Niagara County animal. This is the furthest from the truth and is tantamount to irresponsible reporting on behalf of Browning. The truth of the matter is that the various police departments (including the Niagara County Sheriff's Department) page our SPCA when our shelter is not open so that our agent can quickly respond to the needs of sick and/or injured stray animals.
In this particular instance, since no Lockport veterinary offices were open, the decision was made by Linda Tilton, the convenience store manager who witnessed the incident, to rush the animal to an emergency clinic located In Williamsville. For this reason, the Niagara SPCA was not needed and was not contacted by the sheriff’s department. Because of the clinic’s location in Erie County, it was appropriate for the animal to be taken to the Buffalo SPCA. The next morning, when we first received news of the incident, I personally contacted the sheriff’s department to see how we could be of assistance to them.
The Niagara SPCA is a proud organization and resents any implication that they cannot or will not be readily available to serve the needs of our animals on our county. We know Browning to be good at her job but suggest that she might check more carefully the source of her information so that her articles always provide her readers with accurate information.
Albert J. Chille, former executive director
of the Niagara SPCA
